The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended 41-year-old Pastor Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph after a video went viral, allegedly showing him dehumanising and abusing children in a church program in Port Harcourt.
The disturbing footage, which has been circulated on social media, features at least 20 children some naked on their knees with palm leaves while being repeatedly whipped with palm fronds. The footage also shows a man whipping the children and tossing them to a man and woman dressed in white. A voice in the background claimed that the abuse had been ongoing for three days, and the children were left with bruises on their bodies.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko explained in a statement on Wednesday that Pastor Ifediorah had organized a three-day “spiritual cleaning” ritual, which he claimed was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. Operatives raided the venue on a tip-off and arrested the pastor and a number of the church members at the scene.
Commissioner of Police CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju appealed for calm as investigations are underway, requesting the public to report suspicious acts to security agencies.
The case has triggered outrage online, with many Nigerians demanding swift justice for the victims.
