Nigerian Police Arrest Pastor Caught On Camera Flogging, Brutalising Naked Children In Port Harcourt Church

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 A large basin containing a red liquid resembling blood is visible in the background, further amplifying the horror of the scene.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a pastor captured in a viral video savagely flogging children inside a church building in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The arrest was confirmed in a press statement issued by the police and made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

The disturbing footage, which surfaced online in recent days, shows the pastor viciously whipping several children—many of them stripped naked—within the premises of a church in the Eneka area of Port Harcourt. Some of the victims appeared to be toddlers, screaming in pain as they endured the assault.

A large basin containing a red liquid resembling blood is visible in the background, further amplifying the horror of the scene.

As of press time, SaharaReporters could not independently verify the pastor’s identity or the name of the church involved.

The narrator in the video voiced further concern, suggesting that the children’s condition and the surroundings in which they were found could point to possible abduction or unlawful detention.

"For three days now, they bring these children. Only God knows if they kidnapped these children or whatever. I don't know. This is supposed to be a church,” the narrator said.

“But for three days now, there's blood in that basin. They'll flog these children, naked them, both boys and girls. Flog these children. And this is day three.”

The narrator added that residents initially thought the event was a children's camp but soon realised it was prolonged physical abuse.

"This is out of hand. This is Port Harcourt, Eneka area. The children are crying. They are beating them as you can see. The man is still flogging. And that's how it has been going on for days now. Some of the children already have marks on their body,” the narrator added.

The Rivers State Police Command said it had swiftly acted on a disturbing online video circulating on social media that showed minors being dehumanised in a church setting, leading to the arrest of the presiding pastor, 41-year-old Ifediorah Onyeibor Joseph, in connection with the incident.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said, “Preliminary investigations reveal that Pastor Ifediorah allegedly organized a 3-day program for children in his Church, purportedly for ‘spiritual cleaning,’ claiming to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Upon receiving this 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 currently underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be made public as more information becomes available.

“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju psc mnips, urges the public to remain calm and peaceful while the investigation is ongoing.

“He urges members of the public to report any suspicious activities or concerns to the nearest Police Station or other Security agencies.

 

“He reiterates the Command's unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as minors.”