Rivers State Police Command has arrested the pastor of a new generation church, Ifediorah Joseph, for allegedly manhandling about 20 children during a “spiritual cleansing” ritual in Emeka community, Ohia/Akpor Local Government Area.

According to reports, the children, aged between 5 and 9, were brought to the pastor for a three-day deliverance program where they were stripped naked and whipped with palm tree leaves on their heads and other parts of the body.

A viral video showed the pastor whipping the minors, who cried out in pain, and then throwing them to one of his members after the “cleansing” process.

The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that the pastor claimed he was led by the Holy Spirit to carry out the deliverance. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives stormed the church, arrested the 41-year-old pastor, and rescued the children.

The police statement read: “The Rivers State Police Command has taken swift action in response to a distressing online video…Preliminary investigations reveal that Pastor Ifediorah allegedly organised a 3-day program for children…purportedly for ‘spiritual cleaning,’ claiming to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed concern over the incident and urged the public to remain calm while investigations are ongoing. He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations like minors.

The police in Ondo State have found children allegedly being held by the church at its premises in Ondo Town, Ondo State.

The children are reported to have been kidnapped and held at the premises of the church which is in the Valentino area of Ondo Town.

The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in the state, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the development to Channels Television, saying the police had acted based on information received.

According to her, the children have been moved to the police headquarters and investigations are ongoing.

The pastor of the church and some members of the congregation were arrested and more updates are expected from the police on the matter.

Those arrested are currently being quizzed by the police at the Criminal Investigation Department.

It is unclear the total number of children involved but it is believed that they may be as many as 50.

Sources involved with the church are however saying that the children were not kidnapped and were part of a programme organised by the church.

The children are believed to have been in the church for up to seven days.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed the commitment of Lagos State to providing all necessary tools and institutional support for the attainment of a better future for children in the State.

Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Children’s Day celebration at the Polic College Parade Ground in Ikeja, promising that his administration will continue to invest in education while maintaining and initiating various programmes to develop and boost human capital within the school environment.

Revealing that his administration has addressed infrastructure deficit in schools and introduced technology with the supply of e-Leaning devices to enhance teaching, Sanwo-Olu added that the capacity of teachers has been upscaled to further improve the quality of education among other key innovations.

The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folasade Sherifat Jaji, noted that the theme for the Year 2022 celebration: “A Better Future for Every Child”, highlights the principles of the convention on the rights of the child that all children, irrespective of their status and present global situation, should enjoy their rights to survival and development for a better future.

He said, “Children are falling victim of many social vices like child abuse, rape, drug abuse, hard labour, violence and are denied the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life, parents’ love and commitment. Therefore, this day gives us an opportunity to reflect and renew our commitment to building a society that will guarantee them a better future”.

The Governor charged parents and guardians to protect their wards and direct them towards a promising future, emphasising that the State will continue to unfold initiatives and intervention programmes that promote the Child Rights’ Protection Law.

Advising the children to strive for the best and take their academics very serious, Sanwo-Olu maintained that education remains a veritable tool for greatness and, therefore, gave an assurance that his administration will maximise investment in the sector by providing modern technology to enhance learning, creativity and critical thinking.

He highlighted the various innovations and investments by his administration ranging from commissioning over 1,449 projects in 1,036 schools across all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, including construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools and supply of composite units of furniture, among others.

“Through the Eko Excel Programme, we have trained over 15,000 primary school teachers and empowered over 450,000 pupils with personal e-Learning Devices.

The State Government has also intensified efforts through the Project Zero Programme to curb the rate of out-of-school children and brought back those who had left”, Sanwo-Olu said.

While informing that his administration has established 12 comprehensive programmes for Secondary School Students across the State in the pilot phase, the Governor noted that the model provides an opportunity for students to learn a range of vocational skills alongside the normal school curriculum.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed the intention of the State Government to increase the number of schools to 50 before the end of the year.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, appreciated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanw-Olu, who is also the team leader of the Greater Lagos vision, for his genuine interest in the education, welfare and comfort of every child in the State and for the approval to always celebrate the children through weeklong activities of various educative and entertaining programmes to impart knowledge.

“The entire education family of Lagos State thank you for your passion and investment in the future of all the children of Lagos State, irrespective of the circumstances of birth, especially by ensuring a level playing ground for all to nurture and grow their knowledge in pursuit of a better tomorrow”, she said.