The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old pastor, Roman Samson, for allegedly flogging a 13-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, to death after she was accused of stealing N30,000.
The incident, which occurred in Obanleku community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, has triggered outrage among residents and renewed concerns over the abuse of children under the guise of discipline.
The victim’s mother, Agnes Peter, said she took her daughter to the pastor’s residence on June 1 for counselling after discovering that N30,000 kept in their home had gone missing.
According to Agnes, the teenager admitted taking the money and revealed where it had been hidden.
She said she left the pastor’s residence to verify the claim and recovered the money from one of her daughter’s trousers.
However, on her way back, she met the pastor rushing Nancy to a hospital.
“I met them on the road. I didn’t know he had beaten her,” the distraught mother said.
Nancy was later confirmed dead at the hospital.
The suspect reportedly admitted flogging the teenager but denied intending to kill her.
He claimed he administered between 13 and 15 strokes of a horsewhip after the girl’s mother complained about repeated incidents of theft.
According to him, he became alarmed when the teenager suddenly became weak and immediately rushed her to a medical facility, where doctors confirmed her dead.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the pastor, saying an investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
The police added that the suspect remains in custody and would face prosecution if found culpable at the conclusion of investigations.
The incident has reignited public debate over the use of corporal punishment, particularly against children, with many residents describing Nancy as a cheerful girl whose death has thrown the Obanleku community into mourning.
Child rights advocates have repeatedly warned against excessive punishment, stressing that allegations of misconduct involving minors should be handled in line with the provisions of the Child Rights Act and other extant laws.
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The post Pastor Arrested After Allegedly Flogging 13-Year-Old Girl To Death In Cross River appeared first on NgBreakingNews.com.
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