Police in Rivers State have arrested Pastor Ifediorah Joseph of Our Lord Victory Covenant Mission Church, Eneka, Port Harcourt, along with four church members, after a disturbing video surfaced showing unclad children being flogged during what was described as a “spiritual cleansing” ritual.
The footage, which went viral on social media, captured the 41-year-old cleric striking children aged between five and nine with palm fronds before handing them over to another group for further rites. Rivers State Police spokespersons confirmed that the suspects including the church’s welfare secretary Promise Nwikegha, minister Deborah Ohia, and another member were detained following a swift operation by Eneka Police Division.
In a surprising twist, several parents of the children stormed the police station in solidarity with the pastor, singing and dancing while insisting they had willingly handed over their children for the ritual, which they claimed posed no harm. Pastor Joseph also defended the practice, saying it was a mandate from the Holy Spirit.
However, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has waded into the matter, stressing that parental consent does not override a child’s rights and warning that the incident could amount to child abuse. The police have assured that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances and ensure the protection of the minors involved.
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