A 45-year-old pastor, Roman Samson, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command following the death of a 13-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, who was allegedly flogged after being accused of stealing N30,000.
The incident, which occurred in Obanleku community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the treatment of children accused of misconduct.
According to the deceased’s mother, Agnes Peter, the tragic chain of events began on June 1 when she discovered that N30,000 she had kept in her home was missing.
Agnes said her daughter allegedly admitted taking the money and revealed where it had been hidden. In a bid to correct her behaviour, she took the teenager to Pastor Samson’s residence for counselling.
The mother explained that she briefly left the pastor’s house to confirm her daughter’s claim and successfully recovered the money from one of the girl’s trousers.
However, she said she was shocked when she later encountered the pastor rushing her daughter to a hospital.
“I met them on the road. I didn’t know he had beaten her,” Agnes said.
The teenager was subsequently pronounced dead at the medical facility.
Sources familiar with the case said the pastor admitted disciplining the girl but denied any intention to harm her.
According to his account, he administered between 13 and 15 strokes of a horsewhip after the girl’s mother complained about what he described as repeated incidents of theft.
The cleric reportedly told investigators that he became concerned after noticing the girl had grown weak and immediately took her for medical attention, but she was declared dead on arrival.
Confirming the development, police authorities said the suspect had been taken into custody and that a full-scale investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
The incident has reignited public debate over corporal punishment and the dangers associated with excessive physical discipline, particularly involving children.
Residents of Obanleku community described Nancy as a cheerful and energetic young girl whose sudden death has thrown the area into mourning.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, while authorities are expected to determine possible criminal charges based on the outcome of the probe.
