The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has publicly condemned the recent incidents of sexual assault and public humiliation of women during a festival in Ozoro, Delta State, deeming the events a "national disgrace". In a statement released by NBA President Afam Osigwe and Chairperson of the NBA Women’s Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, they highlighted that the treatment of women during festivities is reflective of the societal values at play. The association stressed that what occurred was not a cultural expression but rather acts of barbarity that underscore a collapse of moral standards.

Witness reports indicated that women were accosted and stripped of their clothing in broad daylight, while being subjected to sexual assaults and degrading treatment by groups of young men. This behavior was exacerbated by bystanders who recorded the incidents and, in some cases, cheered rather than intervening. The NBA's statement serves not only as an outcry against this specific incident but also as a broader call for society to introspect on the treatment of women and to take urgent action to protect their dignity and rights during cultural celebrations.

The NBA has called for swift justice for the victims, emphasizing the need for accountability among those involved in the assaults as well as a societal shift towards respecting women. The incident brings to the fore the urgent need for legislative and cultural changes to ensure women feel safe in all public spaces. The condemnation by a prominent organization's leadership highlights the growing awareness and intolerance of such acts within Nigerian society, signaling a potential turning point in addressing gender-based violence.