The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a pastor and a mother after a 13-year-old girl died from a horsewhip beating allegedly administered as punishment for stealing ₦30,000.
The victim, Nancy Peter, a secondary school student, died after being flogged by Pastor Roman Samson, founder and General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry, at his home in Obanleku Community, Boki Local Government Area.
The incident began on June 1, 2026, when Nancy’s mother, Agnes Peter, discovered her ₦30,000 was missing and accused her daughter of stealing it. She subsequently took the teenager to the pastor’s residence, where she left her in his care.
A source at the Homicide Section of the state police command said by the time the mother returned, the pastor had flogged the girl to death and rushed her to hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Agnes told detectives she took her daughter to the pastor only for counselling and prayers, not to be beaten. She said Nancy had actually confessed to taking the money and revealed where she kept it, prompting the mother to step out to confirm. She claimed the pastor had not yet touched the girl when she left.
“I didn’t tell him to kill my daughter. I only wanted him to scold and counsel her,” Agnes said.
Pastor Samson, 45, gave a different version of events, saying Agnes specifically asked him to physically discipline the teenager. He admitted using a horsewhip on Nancy but said he only administered between 13 and 15 strokes before she became weak.
“I quickly rushed her to the hospital, but she died by the time we got there,” he said, adding that the girl was like a daughter to him and that he had been supporting the family financially for about four years.
The death has sparked outrage in the community, with residents demanding justice for the teenager.
Cross River Police spokesperson ASP Eitokpah Sunday confirmed both arrests and said investigation had commenced. The command, under Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, urged residents to continue providing information to support the probe.
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