Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the pastor of a new-generation church for allegedly assaulting about 20 children under the guise of “spiritual cleansing” in the Emeka community, Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The children, aged between five and nine, were reportedly stripped naked and subjected to severe flogging during a three-day deliverance program. A viral video obtained by our correspondent shows the pastor, identified as Ifediorah Joseph, repeatedly whipping the minors with palm fronds on their heads and bodies while they cried in pain.
Despite their pleas, the cleric continued the brutal exercise, afterward tossing each child to a church member who caught them mid-air. Those deemed “cleansed” were separated from the rest, while parents who attempted to intervene were rebuked and chased away.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrest in a statement titled “Arrest of Pastor and Rescue of Victims in Connection with Minors’ Dehumanization.”
“Preliminary investigations reveal that Pastor Ifediorah claimed the Holy Spirit inspired the program,” Iringe-Koko stated. “Operatives acted on intelligence, arresting the pastor and several members while rescuing the victims.”
The police noted that stripping the children was part of the alleged cleansing ritual, which subjected them to further painful procedures.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, condemned the incident but urged calm as investigations continue.
“The Command remains committed to protecting vulnerable populations, particularly minors,” the statement concluded, urging the public to report similar incidents to security agencies.
By Adeola Olaniya | August 14, 2025
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