Port Harcourt assault victims demand justice after a realtor allegedly beat, stripped and injured them at a nightclub. Public outrage grows across Nigeria

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ort Harcourt assault victims have taken to social media and the press to demand justice after they were allegedly attacked, beaten, and stripped by a well-known real estate developer and his security detail at a nightclub in Rivers State.

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The women, who were celebrating a birthday at Blacbox nightclub, accused Maduba Okechi Christian, CEO of Ceemore Group, of violently assaulting them after they refused his advances.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday. According to the victims, what began as a night of celebration quickly turned into a scene of chaos, violence, and humiliation.

One of the women, Thonia Okoye, revealed that she had paid N200,000 to reserve a table at the club.

She claimed that Maduba and his entourage arrived uninvited at their space and became hostile when one of her friends began filming herself dancing.

Okoye recounted that the situation escalated when the man angrily knocked the phone out of her friend’s hand. She said she was then dragged downstairs, stripped of her clothes, and beaten senseless.

Another woman, Juliet Obasi, who travelled from Owerri to attend the party, said she was left bleeding from the head after Maduba allegedly smashed a bottle on her and attempted to stab her.

“I kept asking the waitress to call the manager to intervene,” Obasi said. “Instead, she greeted him respectfully. That was when I realised he must be an important person at the club.

He smashed a bottle on my head, and I didn’t even know I was bleeding until people around me started shouting.”

Obasi added that another friend lost a tooth in the attack, while the club’s management and security did nothing to stop the brutal incident.

The young women believe they were targeted because they were unaccompanied by men and have alleged that similar incidents involving the same individual have occurred before.

The matter has been reported to the Olu Obasanjo Divisional Police Station, but many Nigerians fear that justice may be elusive due to the suspect’s influence.

In a TikTok video, Okoye said, “This is not the first time he would be doing this. We’ve had a lot of people come out to speak against him at that same Blacbox.”

Calls for accountability have erupted on social media. Users are demanding the arrest and prosecution of Maduba. Dede Oputamuno Gilbert commented, “Not every girl you see in the club is an OS.

Some young girls have so much money they have made from their legitimate businesses.” Others echoed similar sentiments, calling the attack a clear case of gender-based violence rooted in power, impunity, and toxic masculinity.

The victims also questioned the complicity of the club’s staff and management, insisting that CCTV footage must be released.

Obasi declared, “We paid for our drinks and stayed in our space. The only mistake we made was going to that club.”

As public anger mounts, women’s rights activists and social commentators are urging the Rivers State Police Command to take swift and decisive action.

The trauma endured by the women is now a flashpoint in a broader national conversation about women’s safety, power abuse, and accountability in Nigeria’s social spaces.

Also read: Lagos Police detain suspect after viral video shows assault on woman in Lekki

For now, the victims remain resolute. Their demand is clear: justice, accountability, and a safer future for every woman who dares to enjoy her freedom in public.