SANNIQUELLIE CITY, Nimba County—Pastor Fedesco Deshield of the Gono Town House of Prayer Ministry Church in Sanniquellie, Gono Town Community is facing serious allegations after Nimba Momwaa Executive Director, G. Alex Paye accused him of torturing children during purported exorcism rituals aimed at “delivering them from witchcraft.”
By Jerome Saye with Radio Nimba
According to Mr. Paye, Pastor Deshield, 55, is allegedly subjecting many young children to extreme physical and emotional abuse under the guise of spiritual cleansing.
The pastor’s actions, which had reportedly taken place for over six years, are intended to expel supposed demonic influences that he claims are manifesting as witchcraft in the children.
The allegations first came to light three years ago when a daughter of Mr. George Zapulu, Georgeline Zapulu, in Sanniquellie was allegedly beaten by Pastor Deshield for being “possessed” with demonic spirit.
The matter was then reported to the Liberia National Police in Sanniquellie, where Pastor Deshield was detained briefly and was later released by the LNP to treat the little girl because she sustained bruises during the torture.
Alex Paye told Radio Nimba that some of the children were beaten, tied with their feet in the air, salt rubbed in their eyes, starvation, prolonged isolation and other forms of humiliations in the name of cleansing them from being witches and wizards.
“They go through a lot of suppression, where their feet are put into the air, they are tied and beaten”, said Paye. “Salt is even placed into the anointed oil that is used. It burns like pepper is in it”.
Alex Paye condemned the alleged acts and called on churches’ leaders in Nimba to take serious action against Pastor Deshield.
Marthaline Warzea is one of those children whose parents took them to the church for deliverance. Marthaline Warzea, 16, confirmed that they were tortured by Pastor Deshield and his wife to force them confess that they are witches and wizards. She was accused by her sister, Roseline Warzea of killing her father, Titus Warzea.
“They can put pepper in the anointed oil and put it in our eyes,” said Warzea. “One night, they put it in my eyes three times.”
Marthaline explained that she and others were beaten many times causing her to escape from the camp where the accused are congregated to go through their usual torture to help them confess their sins.
Pastor Deshield said he will cut my hair to prevent me from going to school for one whole year. That was the main reason I ran away from the church, Marthaline narrated.
In response to Alex Paye’s and Marthaline Warzea’s allegations, Pastor Deshield denied any knowledge of the alleged activities stating that ‘no child will confess under such conditions.’
“It is not true,” Deshield said. You know when God is using any man of God to make things happen, people can go against that person for Satan to remove him. That is the work of Satan.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials in Sanniquellie have since launched a man hunt for the “man of God” who claimed early Tuesday morning via mobile phone that he was in Saclepea searching for Marthaline Warzea.
This case has sparked outrage among community members and advocates for child welfare. Like many of those who called on Radio Nimba, want the pastor prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Liberia.
The case against Pastor Deshield is expected to go to trial following the LNP preliminary investigation. In the meantime, one of the children involved, Marthaline Warzea is receiving psychological care at the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Sanniquellie to help her recover from the trauma she endured.
If convicted, Deshield could find himself in prison. The case continues to raise critical questions about the intersection of faith, authority, and the protection of children in religious communities.
For now, the community is left grappling with the horrifying revelations and seeking ways to rebuild trust and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
