- Safiu Kehinde
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 41-year-old Pastor, Ifediorah Onyeibor, who was caught in a viral video flogging minors in what he labelled spiritual cleansing.
Onyeibor was detained following the circulation of a viral video on social media purportedly showing him dehumanising several minors during a programme organised for children at an undisclosed Pentecostal church based in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Addressing journalists in a press briefing on Thursday, the Rivers Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said that the suspect was apprehended after public outcry over the degrading footage.
According to her, police officers, acting on coordinated intelligence, arrested the pastor along with several members of the church.
“Onyeibor was seen in a video dehumanising some minors in what appears to be a church environment.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the pastor allegedly organised a three-day programme for children in his church, purportedly for ‘spiritual cleansing.’
“During interrogation, Onyeibor claimed that he had been inspired by the Holy Spirit to carry out the spiritual cleansing of the children,” she said.
Iringe-Koko stated that investigations were ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
She pledged to provide further updates on the matter and urged the public to supply law enforcement with credible information.
“The Police Command is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors,” she assured.