The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 41-year-old pastor, Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, for allegedly abusing and dehumanising more than 20 children during a church programme in Port Harcourt.
The case came to public attention after a disturbing video, under two minutes long, went viral on social media. The clip showed several children, many unclad, kneeling on the floor with palm leaves while a man flogged them repeatedly with palm fronds. A narrator in the footage alleged that the children had endured days of beatings, resulting in visible marks and injuries.
“Only God knows if they kidnapped these children. There is blood in that basin… this is Day 3,” the narrator claimed in the video.
In the recording, the man was seen tossing the children to two individuals dressed in white after whipping them.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the pastor had organised a three-day programme described as “spiritual cleaning,” which he claimed was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Acting on intelligence, operatives stormed the church and arrested the pastor along with several members.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has assured the public that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and justice served. He urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
