Pastor Admits Flogging 13-Year-Old Girl Before She Died Over Alleged ₦30,000 Theft

A 45-year-old pastor in Cross River State has admitted flogging a 13-year-old girl with a horsewhip shortly before she collapsed and died after she was accused of stealing ₦30,000 belonging to her mother.

The incident has sparked outrage in Obanleku Community, Boki Local Government Area, where the victim, Nancy Peter, lived.

The founder and General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry, Roman Samson and the girl's mother, Agnes Peter, are both in police custody as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.

According to police sources, the tragedy began on June 1, 2026, after Agnes Peter discovered that ₦30,000 she had kept at home was missing. She allegedly accused her daughter of taking the money and took her to the pastor's residence.

A source at the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command said the mother left Nancy with the pastor before returning home.

"The woman took her 13-year-old daughter to her pastor's house over stealing. She complained that she had kept ₦30,000 at home and could not find it. She accused her daughter of stealing the money.

"The woman left the girl with the pastor and went home. By the time she returned, the pastor had flogged the girl with a horsewhip. He rushed her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead," the source said.

Mother: "I Never Asked Him to Kill My Daughter"

Speaking to investigators, Agnes Peter denied asking the pastor to physically assault her daughter, insisting she only sought counselling and prayers.

She said Nancy eventually admitted taking the money and revealed where it had been hidden.

"It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after I discovered that my ₦30,000 was missing," she said.

"That was not the first time my daughter had stolen my money, and it was not the first time I reported her to the pastor."

According to her, Nancy confessed during their visit and disclosed that the money had been kept inside one of her trousers.

"I quickly stood up to confirm what she said and found my ₦30,000 exactly where she described."

She maintained that the pastor had not started beating the girl before she left to recover the money.

"It was while I was returning that I met the pastor rushing my daughter to the hospital.

"I didn't tell him to kill my daughter. 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."

Pastor: "I Gave Her About 13 to 15 Strokes"

Pastor Samson, however, gave a different account, claiming Nancy's mother specifically requested that he beat the teenager.

He said he had known the family for about four years and had supported them financially after the mother separated from her husband.

According to him, Nancy had previously been brought to him several times over allegations of stealing.

"The girl had been stealing her mother's money. Each time she complained, I would appeal to her to remain calm. I would call the girl and scold her. That happened more than twenty times," he said.

Describing what happened on the day of the incident, the pastor admitted using a horsewhip on the teenager.

"She told me that 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."

"I went for my horsewhip and started beating her. I only gave her about 13 to 15 strokes when I discovered that the girl became very weak."

"I quickly rushed her to the hospital, but she died by the time we got there."

The pastor expressed regret over the incident.

"I feel very sad. I didn't want to kill her. It was her mum who insisted that I must beat her. She was like a daughter to me."

Police Confirm Arrests

The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed that both the pastor and the girl's mother have been arrested. He said investigations are ongoing and assured that those found culpable would face justice.

"The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, remains committed to ensuring justice in this matter while sustaining its fight against crime across the state," he said.

He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to assist law enforcement in protecting lives and property.

The case has generated widespread public anger, with many Nigerians calling for accountability over the circumstances that led to the death of the 13-year-old.