…Police said they are still investigating
The scandalous case of a church pastor in Eneka near Port Harcourt arrested after a viral video beamed him seemingly ‘flogging’ many children as part of church activity has witnessed a twist.
This is because some women and mothers of the affected children have stepped out in defence of the pastor, saying he was not flogging the children.
The women spoke in their own video, saying they worked with the pastor in what they called ‘cleansing’ exercise during a crusade.
Police had arrested a pastor and some of his church members in Eneka part of Rivers State, outskirts of the state capital, Port Harcourt, south-south Nigeria based on suspicions of dehumanizing minors.
The police also rescued children who were said to have endured beating in the Eneka Church in the State.
The arrest came after a distressing online video last week showing the pastor holding palm fronds, then appearing to use it to flog the naked children.
According to media reports, there were three other adults in the video, where the children appeared to be singing as if chanting something pre-agreed as the pastor walked around them.
The date of the incident is not clear but police in Port Harcourt said it appeared like a spiritual exercise was going on. The police said it is still investigating.
The accused pastor and the church are yet to comment on the arrest of the leader but some church members seem to file behind the pastor.
The children were seen kneeling down naked while the pastor appeared to flog them and was seen throwing some of the smaller toddlers to other church members after he finished the flogging or cleaning.
It was gathered that it was neighbours in nearby building that filmed with video how the incident took place for several days and raised alarm of the incident inside the church compound.
The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said preliminary investigations revealed that the 41-year-old pastor allegedly organized three-day programme in the church for children for “spiritual cleansing.” The police said the pastor claimed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
“Upon receiving dis information, operatives from di Rivers State Police Command through coordinated intelligence, arrested the pastor and several Church members at the scene.”
The police say thorough investigation was currently going on to reveal what really led to the incident.
Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, said they were committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as small children.
With the mothers standing behind their pastor, sources in Eneka said it may be difficult to get witnesses against the man of God.
