A 41-year-old pastor, Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph has been arrested by men of the Rivers State police command.
This followed a video in which he was seen flogging some minors and subjecting them to dehumanizing treatment during a church programme.
The arrest followed the circulation of a disturbing video on social media, which allegedly showed children undergoing inhumane treatment in the church.
According to the police, Pastor Joseph organised a three-day programme for children, which he claimed was for “spiritual cleaning and was inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Acting on intelligence, operatives stormed the church premises, arrested the pastor along with several congregation members, and rescued the minors, who have since been placed under protective care.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrest, stating that preliminary investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the incident and any possible violations of the law.
“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.
Iringe-Koko added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, had urged the public to remain calm, assuring that the safety and dignity of vulnerable persons—especially minors—remain a top priority for the Command.
Meanwhile, CP Adepoju reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, and called on residents to report any suspicious activities or cases of abuse to the nearest police station or relevant security agency.