Parents of minors rescued from Pastor Ifedorah Joseph, who was arrested by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly dehumanising children, have stormed the police station where he is being held to demand his release.
Joseph and two church leaders were apprehended after a viral video showed them whipping children aged between five and nine with palm fronds and sprinkling them with a mixture of pigeon blood and water during what they described as a “spiritual cleansing” ritual.
The footage, which has drawn widespread outrage online, also captured the children being led away to a group referred to as “cleansed.”
In a chat with journalists, Joseph claimed the ritual was conducted under the instruction of the Holy Spirit, insisting it was “not done carnally” but spiritually inspired.
The protesting parents maintained they had willingly released their children for the ritual to ward off death, disaster, and misfortune.
Police have confirmed that all the children involved are now in protective custody.
