The Federal Government has vowed to prosecute a Port Harcourt-based pastor and members of his church who were caught on camera in a video now making rounds online flogging unclad children in what was described as a “spiritual cleansing” ritual.
The pastor, identified as 41-year-old Ifediorah Joseph of Our Lord Victory Covenant Mission Church, Eneka, allegedly organised a three-day programme, claiming it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Amateur footage that went viral on social media showed him flogging children while church members looked on without intervention.
Government Condemns “Barbaric Act”
In a statement signed by Mr. Jonathan Eze, media aide to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the act was condemned as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
The minister confirmed that the children have since been rescued and placed under protective custody, where they are receiving care and support in line with the law.
She stressed that anyone found culpable — whether parents, guardians, church leaders, or community figures — will face justice under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Swift Response and Public Outcry
The minister commended the Nigeria Police Force and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for their swift intervention, which led to the rescue and safeguarding of the children. She also praised vigilant citizens who filmed and exposed the abuse, noting that their actions embodied the government’s “See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something” campaign.
“The soul of our nation depends on how we protect its future — our children,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim declared, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to eradicating all forms of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Call for Public Vigilance
The ministry urged Nigerians to report cases of child abuse directly to the police, NAPTIP, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure quick intervention while safeguarding victims’ privacy.
The case has reignited nationwide outrage over the exploitation of children under the guise of religion, with many calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and stiffer penalties for offenders.