A 14-year-old boy, Aondoakaa Yarkwan, has recounted the severe torture he endured after being falsely accused of stealing over N200,000 in church donations at St. Joseph Parish, Korinya, Benue State.
Church officials and local quasi-security personnel beat him into unconsciousness before the main thief, who reportedly stole the bulk of the money, a 12-year-old altar boy, was later identified.
According to a source, the church held a thanksgiving service on September 8, 2024, where the congregation donated more than N200,000. Yarkwan, tasked with securing the funds, was blamed when the money went missing and was replaced by scraps of paper.
“I was interrogated and taken to the Parish Priest, Rev. Father Emmanuel Doki. When I explained what happened, he slapped me three times, demanding I confess,” Yarkwan revealed.
According to a church official, Yarkwan admitted to taking N3,000 but denied involvement in the disappearance of the rest.
Yarkwan described how the church chairman, Mr. Tartsegha, Catechist Kumbur, and Deacon Agber flogged him with a ‘koboko’ (horsewhip) and handed him over to the Livestock Guards, a local security unit.
“They took me to a forest in Korinya called Golgotha, where they normally burn thieves alive,” he said.
His grandmother rushed him to the hospital after he lost consciousness from the torture.
His mother, Benedicta Yarkwan, lamented, “My son is in so much pain… nobody from the church has apologized or offered to help with his medical bills.”
Weeks after the incident, a 12-year-old altar boy confessed to stealing the remaining money. Only N10,000 was recovered, and despite the revelation, the church insisted Yarkwan’s family pay N80,000.
Yarkwan’s mother condemned the decision, stating, “My son can barely breathe, and yet they blamed him for what the 12-year-old boy did.”
The community has expressed outrage, demanding justice for Yarkwan, and many have called for an investigation into the abuse of vulnerable children.
When SaharaReporters contacted Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anene Sewuese, to find out if the police were aware and what was being done about it, she said, “Where did it happen? I’m not aware of this.”
