CORPORAL PUNISHMENT: HOW 45-YEAR-OLD PASTOR FLOGGED 13-YEAR-OLD CHURCH MEMBER’S DAUGHTER TO DEATH OVER ALLEGED ₦30,000 THEFT

A 45-year-old mother of a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly flogged to death with a horsewhip by the pastor of her church in Cross River State has narrated the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.

The police in the state have arrested the pastor of a new-generation church in the Wula area of Boki Local Government Area, Roman Samson, over the incident.

The deceased girl was reportedly accused of stealing her mother’s ₦30,000 before she was allegedly flogged to death by the clergyman.

The mother of the deceased girl, Agnes, who has also been arrested by the police for taking the girl to the pastor’s home, however, claimed that she only wanted the clergyman to counsel her daughter before the incident occurred.

It was gathered that on June 1, 2026, Agnes took her daughter to the home of her pastor, Samson, over allegations of stealing. The mother was said to have accused the girl of repeatedly stealing her money and engaging in wayward behaviour.

A police source at the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command, who pleaded anonymity while speaking with newsmen, said: “It happened on June 1 this year, when the mother took her 13-year-old daughter to her pastor’s house over an allegation of stealing.”

“The woman complained that she had kept ₦30,000 at home and could not find the money when she needed it. She accused her 13-year-old daughter of stealing the money. That was the reason she took her to her pastor’s house.”

The police source added: “The woman left the poor girl alone with the pastor, but by the time she returned, the pastor had allegedly flogged the girl with a horsewhip and was about taking her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.”

The mother of the deceased girl, Agnes, a resident of Obanleku in Boki Local Government Area, however, denied asking the pastor to flog her daughter. She claimed that she only took the girl to him for counselling and prayers.

Agnes, a mother of three, said: “It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after I discovered that my ₦30,000 was missing from where I kept it. That was not the first time she had stolen my money, and it was not the first time I had reported her to the pastor.”

She narrated: “That day, I took her to my pastor’s house because she refused to disclose where she kept my money. While we were there, she confessed to stealing the money and told me that she had kept it in one of her trousers.”

“That was when I quickly stood up to confirm where she kept the money, and I found my ₦30,000 in the pocket of one of her trousers. The pastor had not beaten her when I left to search for the money. It was while I was returning that I saw him rushing my daughter to the hospital. I met him on the way.”

She also stated: “I didn’t tell him to kill my daughter. I had reported her to the pastor before, and I only wanted him to scold and counsel her. I was not there when he beat my daughter. I only saw him taking her to the hospital.”

Forty-five-year-old Pastor Samson told newsmen: “My name is Roman Samson. I am 45 years old and I am the founder and General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry. Before I started my own ministry, I worked in different ministries, including Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Mount Sinai Church, Minister of God Church, and others.”

He continued: “I started my own ministry some years back. I met Mrs Peter about four years ago when she had a misunderstanding with her husband. She had three children for him, but he sent her away. I don’t know what happened between them. The man was not a member of my church. It was only the woman and her children who attended my church.”

“When the woman came, she had nothing. She had been rejected by her husband with two children. I began supporting their education and upkeep.”

“God answered the woman’s prayers through me and she started selling fish. The girl had been stealing her mother’s money. Each time the woman complained, I would appeal to her to remain calm. I would call the girl and scold her. That happened more than 20 times.”

The pastor further narrated: “On June 1 this year, the woman brought the girl to my house herself. She complained that the girl had stolen her money again. She also said the girl was in the habit of sleeping away from home. She told me the girl stole her ₦30,000 and asked me to beat her. She also said she had already beaten her but wanted me to beat her as well.”

The pastor claimed: “I went for my horsewhip and started beating her. I gave her about 13 to 15 strokes before I noticed she had become very weak. I quickly rushed her to the hospital, but she died before we got there.”

Pastor Samson regretted: “I feel very sad. I didn’t want to kill her. It was her mother who insisted that I should beat her. She was like a daughter to me.”

The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

The police spokesperson said: “The Cross River State Police command appreciates the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his unwavering support towards operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering, tactical policing, and the provision of strategic resources that have continued to strengthen the command’s capacity to combat kidnapping, violent crimes, and other emerging security threats.”

“The command acknowledges that the sustained intelligence and operational support from the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force have significantly enhanced crime-fighting efforts across Cross River State.”

He also stated: “The Command notes that the successes recorded by its operatives in various operations are a testament to the professionalism, bravery, and dedication of officers and men who continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate.”

“The Inspector-General’s visionary leadership, emphasis on proactive policing, and commitment to equipping personnel have continued to inspire confidence and deliver tangible security outcomes within the state.”

According to him: “The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Rashid Bello Afegbua, assures residents of its unwavering commitment to sustaining the ongoing offensive against criminality and dismantling all criminal networks operating within the state and its environs.”

“The command therefore urges members of the public to continue partnering with the police by providing timely, credible and actionable information, which remains critical to the collective effort of safeguarding lives and property.”