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A Cross River pastor is in police custody after a 13-year-old girl died following an alleged flogging over a theft accusation. The state police command confirmed the arrest, identifying the suspect as a 45-year-old cleric.
The Gist
- Cross River pastor arrested over a girl’s death
- 13-year-old died after an alleged flogging
- Cleric denies trying to kill her
The case has drawn anger across the state and renewed calls for stronger child protection. Authorities say investigations are ongoing.
What police say the Cross River pastor did
According to the command, the incident took place in the Boki Local Government Area. The girl was accused of stealing N30,000, and her mother took her to the cleric’s residence.
Police say the suspect admitted flogging the teenager but denied intending to kill her. He reportedly told investigators he administered between 13 and 15 strokes with a horsewhip.
The cleric said he grew alarmed when the girl became weak and rushed her to a medical facility, where she was pronounced dead.
Mother also in custody
The girl’s mother was also arrested. Police say she took her daughter to the residence after accusing the teenager of repeated theft at home.
Both adults remain in custody pending the outcome of the investigation and possible prosecution. No one has been convicted, and the suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Public outrage
News of the death spread quickly and sparked anger online. Many Nigerians questioned how a discipline session could end in a child’s death.
Others pointed to the role of faith and trust placed in clerics, asking why a religious figure was handling an alleged theft at all. The case has become a talking point about authority and accountability.
Child rights advocates say the public reaction shows growing intolerance for violence against minors. They hope the attention translates into a thorough investigation.
A wider problem
The death has reignited debate about corporal punishment of children in Nigeria. Child rights groups have long warned that beatings framed as discipline can turn deadly.
Nigeria’s Child Rights Act prohibits cruel and degrading treatment of minors, but enforcement is uneven across states. Campaigners say cases like this rarely reach court.
Activists are urging the Cross River authorities to pursue the matter fully. They want the case to send a clear signal that violence against children carries consequences.
They also want better awareness in communities where harsh discipline is still common. Education, they argue, can prevent tragedies before they reach a police station.
What happens next
Police say they are gathering statements and forensic details to build the case. The suspects could face charges once investigations conclude.
The community where the girl lived is still reeling. Neighbours described her as a quiet child, and many have called for justice on her behalf.
For now, the focus is on the investigation. Officials say they will not pre-empt the findings, and they have appealed for calm while the legal process runs its course.
The case has also renewed calls for stronger reporting channels for abused children. Advocates say many incidents go unrecorded because families fear stigma or do not know where to turn.
Viorah TV will follow developments as the case moves through the system, and will report the outcome once the authorities make it public.
Source: Cross River Police Command
