A 45-year-old mother whose 13-year-old daughter allegedly died after being flogged with a horsewhip by a pastor in Cross River State has narrated how the tragic incident unfolded, insisting she only took the child to the cleric for counselling and prayers.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested the founder of Goodness of Jesus Ministry, Pastor Roman Samson, alongside the girl’s mother, Agnes, over the incident, which occurred in the Wula area of Boki Local Government Area.
The deceased was reportedly accused of stealing her mother’s ₦30,000 before she was allegedly beaten by the pastor.
According to police sources, the incident occurred on June 1, 2026, when Agnes took her daughter to the pastor’s residence after accusing the teenager of repeatedly stealing from her and exhibiting wayward behaviour.
A source at the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command said the mother left the girl with the pastor after explaining the allegation.
“The woman complained that she had kept ₦30,000 in her house but could not find it. She accused her 13-year-old daughter of stealing the money and took her to the pastor’s house,” the source said.
The source alleged that by the time the mother returned, the pastor had flogged the girl with a horsewhip and was taking her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
However, Agnes denied instructing the pastor to beat her daughter.
Speaking on the incident, the mother said she only wanted the pastor to counsel and pray for the teenager, whom she claimed had previously been reported to the cleric over similar allegations.
“It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after discovering that my ₦30,000 was missing. She later confessed and told me where she kept the money. I left briefly to recover it, and when I returned, I met the pastor rushing her to the hospital,” she said.
“I never asked him to kill my daughter. I only wanted him to scold and counsel her. I was not there when he allegedly beat her.”
Pastor Samson, who admitted flogging the teenager, claimed he acted at the insistence of the girl’s mother.
The 45-year-old cleric said he had known the family for about four years and had supported the woman and her children after she separated from her husband.
According to him, the deceased had repeatedly been brought to him over allegations of stealing.
“On June 1, the mother brought her to my house again and complained that she had stolen ₦30,000. She also said the girl often stayed away from home and asked me to beat her. She told me she had already beaten her and wanted me to do the same,” he said.
The pastor admitted using a horsewhip on the teenager.
“I gave her about 13 to 15 strokes before I noticed she had become very weak. I immediately rushed her to the hospital, but she died before we got there,” he said, expressing regret over the incident.
“I feel very sad. I never intended to kill her. She was like a daughter to me.”
Confirming the arrests, the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said investigations were ongoing and assured the public that justice would be served.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Rashid Bello Afegbua, while urging residents to continue providing credible and timely information to support the fight against crime across the state.
