Police Arrest Rivers Pastor for Brutally Flogging Minors during 'Spiritual Cleansing' in His Church
- Rivers police arrest Pastor Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph after viral video shows alleged chiId abuse during church “spiritual cleansing” event
- Minors rescued and placed under protective care as police investigate the incident
- Police urge public to stay calm, reaffirm commitment to protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring justice
Porthacourt, Rivers state - The Rivers state police command has arrested a 41-year-old pastor, Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, after a disturbing video emerged online allegedly showing him subjecting children to inhumane treatment during a church programme.
Police said the footage prompted immediate action, with operatives moving to the church premises to intervene.
Source: Original
The video Most of the minors in the video were unclad.
The narrator relayed that the setting was a church in Eneka, Port Harcourt, and that the children had been lacerated and maltreated for days on end, Channels Television reported.
“Only God knows if they kidnapped these children. There is blood in that basin. They flog these children, naked them… both boys and girls and this is Day 3. The other day, we couldn’t sleep in the night,” a voice in the background detailed.
“The children are crying. They are beating them as you can see, and this has been going on for days now. The children have marks on their bodies.”
According to investigators, Pastor Joseph had organised a three-day event for children, claiming it was for “spiritual cleansing” and was “inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Children rescued and placed under protective care
Spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the minors were rescued and are now under protective care.
“Upon receiving the information, operatives from the Rivers State Police Command, through coordinated intelligence, arrested the pastor and several church members at the scene. A thorough investigation is underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident," she said.
Public urged to remain calm
Iringe-Koko added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, had assured the public that the safety and dignity of vulnerable persons, particularly minors, remain a top priority, Guardian reported.
“The Commissioner has urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served,” she stated.
Police reaffirm commitment to protecting vulnerable groups
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, CP Adepoju called on residents to report any suspicious activities or cases of abuse to the nearest police station or security agency.
“The protection of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, remains a priority for the Command.We will not tolerate any form of abuse or dehumanising treatment against minors," Adepoju said.
Police storm shrine, arrest ritualist making ‘bulletproof’ charms
Previously, Legit.ng reported that a suspected ritualist, Cletus Bassey, has been arrested by the police for making ‘bulletproof’ charms for robbers in Akwa Ibom State. Police operatives recovered a firearm from the suspect in the Uruan local government area of the state.
The state police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Timfon John, said Bassey was apprehended on July 29, 2025, at about 7pm at his shrine located in Nung Oku Village.
DSP John made this known in a statement issued on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Uyo, the state capital. According to DSP John, preliminary investigations revealed that Bassey was allegedly involved in ritualistic activities.
Source: Legit.ng
