Nigeria, Aug. 14 -- The police in Rivers State have arrested a cleric for allegedly camping some children in a church and "dehumanising" them under the guise of "spiritual cleansing."

In a statement on Wednesday, the police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the cleric, Ifediorah Joseph, has been arrested and the children rescued.

Ms Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, posted the statement on Facebook

In a viral video of the incident posted on Facebook, some minors can be seen kneeling and holding white palm fronds, while a man, apparently the pastor, is using palm fronds to whip them.

The man is whipping the children, one after the other, after which he throws them to another man.

Three other adults, including a...