Teenager Dies After Alleged Beating by Mother and Pastor; Police Launch Investigation in Cross River

A 14-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, has reportedly died after allegedly being subjected to severe beating by her mother and a pastor in Wula Community, Eastern Boki, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to the Cross River State Police Command, preliminary investigations indicate that the teenager was first flogged by her mother, Mrs. Agnes Peter, 45, before she was taken to Pastor Samson Roman Dago, 43, who allegedly continued the punishment with a cane over accusations of theft.
The spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed that both the mother and the pastor have been arrested and are currently in police custody. He stated that a comprehensive investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the level of involvement of all parties connected to the girl’s death.
No Evidence of Sexual Assault
The police also addressed claims circulating on social media alleging that the teenager was sexually assaulted. According to the command, there is currently no evidence supporting those allegations, adding that medical examinations and other investigative procedures are still ongoing.
Sources within the community disclosed that Nancy reportedly lost consciousness after the beating and was rushed to a health facility in Wula. Medical personnel later confirmed that she was dead on arrival.
Child Rights Advocates Condemn Incident
The tragic death has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions about child protection and the dangers of excessive corporal punishment.
Reacting to the incident, child rights advocate James Ibor, Principal Counsel at the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, described the development as disturbing and unacceptable.
He lamented that such an incident could occur despite the existence of child protection laws, stressing that physical punishment can inflict lasting emotional and physical harm on children.
According to him, no child should be disciplined to the point of collapse, urging law enforcement authorities to ensure that justice is served.
The incident has left residents of the community in shock, while calls continue to grow for the prosecution of those responsible and stricter enforcement of child protection laws across the country.