Aondoakaa Yarkwan, a 14-year-old boy, was tortured after being falsely accused of stealing N200,000 from a church's donations in Benue State. Despite a 12-year-old altar boy confessing to the theft later, church officials demanded compensation from Yarkwan's family, leading to community outrage and calls for justice.
Aondoakaa Yarkwan, a 14-year-old boy, endured severe torture after being falsely accused of stealing N200,000 from church donations at St. Joseph Parish in Korinya, Benue State. This incident unfolded following a Thanksgiving service held on September 8, 2024, during which Yarkwan was responsible for safeguarding the collected funds.
When the money was discovered missing, church officials and local security personnel subjected Yarkwan to brutal beatings, pushing him to the brink of unconsciousness as they coerced him to confess to the theft. During an interrogation led by Rev. Father Emmanuel Doki, Yarkwan faced physical abuse and was repeatedly slapped. While he acknowledged taking N3,000, he denied any involvement in the loss of the larger sum. The violent treatment included flogging with a horsewhip and threats of being burned alive in a nearby forest notorious for punishing thieves.
After losing consciousness from the beatings, Yarkwan’s grandmother took him to a hospital for urgent medical care. Despite his injuries, the church has failed to issue any apologies or support for his treatment. Several weeks later, a 12-year-old altar boy admitted to stealing the remaining funds; however, the church insisted that Yarkwan’s family pay N80,000, exacerbating the family's distress.
Outrage has erupted within the community, prompting demands for justice for Yarkwan and an investigation into the treatment of vulnerable children. Efforts to engage the Benue State Police regarding the incident have yielded no information, as officials remain unaware of the case's specifics.
