Police in Rivers State have arrested Pastor Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph of a new generation church for allegedly stripping and flogging more than 25 children during a deliverance programme in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The children, aged between five and 10, were reportedly brought to the church for a three-day “spiritual cleansing” ritual.
A viral video obtained by our correspondent shows the 41-year-old pastor whipping the minors with palm leaves on their heads and bodies as they cried in pain. He then grabbed each child by the hand and threw them toward a church member, who caught them before placing them aside for the next phase of the ritual.
In the video, one mother who rushed in after hearing her child’s cries was rebuked and chased away by the pastor. Stripping the children was reportedly part of the cleansing process, with some holding palm leaves or wearing white garments.
Confirming the incident, state police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the pastor claimed he acted under divine instruction.
“The Rivers State Police Command has taken swift action in response to a distressing online video, circulating on social media, depicting the dehumanisation of minors within a church setting, where the presiding pastor, Pastor Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, ‘m’, aged 41, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Preliminary investigations reveal that Pastor Ifediorah allegedly organised a three-day programme for children in his church, purportedly for ‘spiritual cleaning,’ claiming to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit,” she said.
She added that officers rescued about 20 children and arrested several church members.
“A thorough investigation is currently underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be made public as more information becomes available,” Iringe-Koko noted.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju condemned the incident and urged residents to remain calm, stressing the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups. He encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
In a twist, several parents of the children later stormed Eneka Police Division in support of the pastor, singing and dancing while insisting there was no abuse. One parent, identified as Ngozi, told journalists the children were undergoing a harmless spiritual ritual.
Pastor Ifediorah defended his actions, saying: “I acted under the direction of the Holy Spirit.”
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