Parents Defending Rivers Pastor Over Child Flogging Need Counselling – NAPTIP
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has said parents supporting a Rivers State pastor arrested for flogging children during a “spiritual cleansing” require counselling.
NAPTIP’s Rivers State official, Nwamaka Ikediashi, stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, describing the flogging as “a total case of child abuse” and stressing that the parents were also victims.
“The parents are victims and they are supposed to be made to understand the implications of this whole thing, and that can only be made possible via counselling,” Ikediashi said.
The pastor, identified as Ifediorah Joseph, was arrested by the police for flogging over 20 children during a three-day programme in Port Harcourt under the guise of “spiritual cleansing.”
Following his arrest, some of the children and their parents went to the police station, singing and dancing in solidarity with him.
One parent told journalists she consented to the act, claiming the ritual was meant to save the children from a looming threat.
“My daughter was among the children that was purified. The message was that death was in the air, and they should purify the children. They did the purification with pigeon blood, water and palm fruit,” the parent said.
Ikediashi stressed that the parents’ actions showed a lack of understanding of the implications of such treatment, adding that they would not have allowed it if they knew better.
The Rivers State Police Command said investigations were ongoing.
Authorities disclosed that the pastor claimed the three-day programme involving minors was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Footage of the incident shared on social media prompted a swift police operation, during which officers stormed the church, arrested the pastor and several church members, and rescued the children, who have since been placed under protective care.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
