By Deborah Nnamdi
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old pastor, Roman Samson, following the death of a 13-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, who allegedly died after being flogged over accusations that she stole N30,000.
The incident occurred in Obanleku community, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, and has sparked outrage, with renewed calls for an end to excessive corporal punishment, particularly involving children.
According to the girl’s mother, Agnes Peter, the incident began on June 1 after she discovered that N30,000 kept in her home was missing. She said her daughter later admitted taking the money and disclosed where it had been hidden.
Agnes said she took Nancy to Pastor Samson’s residence for counselling in an effort to correct her behaviour. She explained that she briefly left the pastor’s house to verify her daughter’s claim and recovered the money from one of the girl’s trousers.
She alleged that while she was away, the pastor flogged the teenager. Agnes said she only became aware of the alleged assault when she met the cleric on the road while he was rushing her daughter to a hospital.
“I met them on the road. I didn’t know he had beaten her,” she said.
Nancy was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the pastor admitted disciplining the girl but denied intending to harm her. He reportedly told investigators that he administered between 13 and 15 strokes of a horsewhip after the girl’s mother complained about repeated incidents of theft.
The cleric also claimed that he became alarmed when the teenager appeared weak and immediately took her to a medical facility, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Police confirmed the arrest of the suspect, stating that he remains in custody while a full investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and establish any criminal liability.
The tragic incident has reignited public concern over the use of excessive physical punishment and the treatment of children accused of misconduct.
Residents of Obanleku community described Nancy as a cheerful and energetic child whose sudden death has left the community in mourning.
The police said investigations are ongoing, after which appropriate charges, if any, will be filed against the suspect.
