Pastor Arrested for Brutalising Children in Rivers Church Ritual, Parents Defend Actions

A disturbing incident has unfolded in Rivers State, Nigeria, where a pastor was arrested for flogging over 20 children during a “spiritual cleansing” ritual.

The pastor, identified as Ifediorah Joseph, claimed the ritual was inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, authorities have described the act as “a total case of child abuse.”

The ritual, which involved the use of pigeon blood, water, and palm fruit, was meant to “purify” the children from a looming threat of death.

A video of the incident, shared on social media, showed the pastor whipping the children with palm fronds, sparking widespread outrage.

Some parents of the affected children have defended the pastor’s actions, insisting they gave their consent for the ritual. However, Nwamaka Ikediashi, a NAPTIP official in Rivers State, believes these parents need counseling, as they may not fully understand the implications of their actions.

“The parents are victims as well because they do not understand the implications, but if they did understand, they would not let their children be subjected to such inhuman treatment and torture,” Ikediashi said.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the pastor and several church members, and the children have been placed under protective care. The police are conducting a thorough investigation, and the case is being treated as potential child abuse.

The pastor has claimed he acted under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

The government has emphasized its commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly minors. The Rivers State Police Command has urged the public to report any suspicious activities or cases of abuse to the nearest police station or security agency.