The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a Port Harcourt pastor and four members of his church after a video showing unclad children being whipped during a church program went viral online.
The suspect, 41-year-old Pastor Ifediorah Joseph of Our Lord Victory Covenant Mission Church, Eneka, allegedly organised a three-day programme for children, describing it as a “spiritual cleansing” directed by the Holy Spirit.
The footage, widely shared on social media, shows the pastor striking children aged between five and nine with palm tree leaves as other members watched. Each child was whipped several times before being sent to a separate group called “cleansed.”
Following public outrage, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordered an investigation. Officers stormed the church and arrested Pastor Joseph along with four members believed to be involved.
In an unexpected twist, some parents of the children went to Eneka Police Division singing and dancing in support of the pastor.
One of them, Mrs Ngozi Uzoma, told reporters, “The children were undergoing a harmless spiritual exercise.”
Pastor Joseph also defended himself, saying, “I acted under the direction of the Holy Spirit,” when asked about claims that a pigeon’s blood was used to bathe the children.
The Divisional Police Officer of Eneka Police Station, Akpo Lewis, confirmed the arrest of the pastor, the church’s welfare secretary, Promise Nwikegha, and a minister, Deborah Ohia.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has joined the investigation. NAPTIP Intelligence Officer Komani Timipire said, “Parental consent does not override the rights of a child,” adding that the case is being handled as possible child abuse.
