Police in Rivers State have arrested a pastor and two church leaders after a video showing them flogging children during what they described as a “spiritual cleansing” ceremony went viral on social media.
The disturbing footage shows children between ages five and nine being whipped repeatedly with palm tree leaves by the pastor.
After each child was flogged, they were handed to another church member who moved them to a separate group that was considered “cleansed.”
During police questioning, the pastor defended his actions, saying he was following instructions from the Holy Spirit.
He explained that the ritual included mixing pigeon blood with water, which was then sprinkled on the children as part of their purification process.
“It was a directive from the Holy Spirit,” the pastor told police. “It was not done carnally or from human inspiration but according to spiritual instruction.”
In an unexpected turn, the children’s parents came to the police station to support the pastor.
They said they willingly brought their children for the ritual because they believed they had received spiritual instructions to do so.
The parents claimed the ceremony would protect their children from death, disaster, and other misfortunes.
Police have placed all the affected children in protective custody while they continue investigating the incident.
The case has generated significant public outrage since the video began circulating online.
