The police in Rivers State have arrested three church leaders after a viral video surfaced showing minors being whipped during what was described as a “spiritual cleansing” ceremony.
Reports on Thursday quoted the Divisional Police Officer of Eneka Police Station, Akpo Lewis, to have confirmed the arrest of Pastor Ifediorah Joseph, church welfare secretary Promise Nwikegha, and minister Deborah Ohia.
The now-viral video shows children, aged between five and nine, being struck with palm tree leaves by the cleric during a church ceremony.
In the footage, the cleric whips each child multiple times before handing them over to another church member, who directs them to a separate group described as “cleansed.”
Our correspondent at the station observed that the parents of the children were present and stated they were aware of the ceremony and had approved it.
Speaking with journalists after being busted by the police, the pastor and suspect, Mr. Joseph, claimed that the “spiritual cleansing” act in the viral video was not self-inspired, but revelatory.
“It was not carried out carnally or by any anybody inspiration; it was according to the scripture inspiration,” he said.
Asked further if using pigeon blood to bathe children was healthy for them, the Rivers-based pastor said, “It was a directive of the Holy Spirit,” adding that his denomination’s name is “Our Lord Victory Command Mission.”