Pastor Beats 13-Year-Old Girl To Death In Cross River Over Missing ₦30,000

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a pastor, Roman Samson, and a woman, Agnes Peter, following the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Nancy Peter, who allegedly died after being severely flogged over accusations that she stole ₦30,000.

The tragic incident, which has sparked outrage in Obanleku Community, Boki Local Government Area of the state, reportedly occurred after the girl’s mother took her to the pastor’s residence for what she described as counselling and discipline.

Nancy, a secondary school student, was alleged to have been beaten with a horsewhip by Pastor Roman Samson, the founder and General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry. She later died after sustaining injuries during the punishment.

According to police sources, the incident began on June 1, 2026, when Agnes Peter discovered that ₦30,000 she had kept in her home was missing. Believing her daughter had taken the money, she reportedly confronted the teenager before taking her to the pastor for intervention.

A source attached to the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command disclosed that the woman left her daughter in the pastor’s custody after accusing her of theft.

“The woman took her 13-year-old daughter to her pastor’s house over allegations that she stole ₦30,000. She said she could not find the money when she needed it and believed the girl had taken it.

“She left the child with the pastor and returned home. Before she came back, the pastor had allegedly flogged the girl with a horsewhip. She was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead,” the source said.

Mother: I Never Asked Him To Kill My Daughter

Speaking to investigators, Agnes Peter admitted taking Nancy to the pastor but denied instructing him to inflict excessive punishment.

According to her, she only wanted the cleric to counsel and reprimand her daughter, as he had done on previous occasions.

“It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after discovering that my ₦30,000 was missing. It was not the first time she had been accused of taking my money, and I had reported similar incidents to the pastor before,” she said.

The grieving mother explained that while they were at the pastor’s house, Nancy admitted taking the money and disclosed where she had hidden it.

“She confessed that she kept the money inside one of her trousers. I immediately left to verify what she said and found my ₦30,000 where she had described.”

Agnes maintained that the pastor had not begun flogging the girl before she left to retrieve the money.

“The pastor had not beaten her when I left. It was on my way back that I met him rushing my daughter to the hospital.

“I never asked him to kill my daughter. I only wanted him to counsel and scold her. I was not present when he allegedly beat her,” she said.

Pastor Admits Flogging Girl, Says He Never Intended To Kill Her

Pastor Roman Samson, 45, admitted that he flogged the teenager but insisted he had no intention of causing her death.

He told investigators that Agnes Peter specifically requested that he discipline the girl because of her repeated acts of theft and alleged misconduct.

The cleric said he had known the family for about four years after the woman reportedly separated from her husband and that he had supported her children by assisting with their education and welfare.

“I started my ministry some years ago. I met Mrs Peter when she had marital issues with her husband. She had nothing when she came, and I assisted the family with the children’s education and upkeep,” he said.

Samson claimed Nancy had been brought to him several times over allegations of stealing from her mother.

“The girl had repeatedly stolen her mother’s money. Each time I was called, I would advise and caution her. This happened more than 20 times,” he said.

He further stated that on the day of the incident, the girl’s mother insisted that she should be punished.

“She told me the girl had stolen ₦30,000 again and also complained about her behaviour. She asked me to beat her.

“I used a horsewhip and gave her about 13 to 15 strokes. After a while, I noticed she became very weak. I immediately rushed her to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead,” he said.

The pastor expressed remorse over the incident, insisting that Nancy was like his own daughter.

“I feel deeply saddened by what happened. I never intended to kill her. She was like a daughter to me,” he added.

Police Launch Investigation

The death of the teenager has triggered widespread condemnation within the community, with residents calling for justice and demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said both the pastor and the girl’s mother had been arrested while detectives commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He assured residents that the command remained committed to ensuring justice was served and reiterated its resolve to combat all forms of criminality across the state.

According to him, the command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, will continue to protect lives and property while pursuing those found to have violated the law.

The police also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and improve public safety across the state.