Gunmen abduct Catholic nuns in Anambra

Gunmen have reportedly abducted two Catholic nuns along Ufuma Road in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Maria Ikeotuonye, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

She said the two nuns were on their way back from a vocational association meeting at Ogboji community when they were kidnapped late on Tuesday.

Ikeotuonye expressed sorrow over the abduction and identified the victims as Sister Vincentia Maria Nwankwo, the Principal of Archbishop Charles Harvey Memorial Model Secondary School Ufuma, and Sister Grace Mariette Okoli, a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School Nnewi.

“We regret to inform the public that our two sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, were kidnapped yesterday evening, Tuesday, 7 January 2025,” Ikeotuonye said.

“They were abducted along Ufuma Road while returning from their vocational association meeting in Ogboji.”

Ikeotuonye called for prayers for their safe and swift release, asking for the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary and appealed for fervent prayers for their safety and unconditional return.

The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed their kidnap in a statement on Wednesday.

Police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement said a joint operation had been launched to rescue the victims.

“A police-led joint operation is ongoing to secure the release of the two Catholic nuns allegedly kidnapped along Ufuma Road, Orumba North Local Government,” Ikenga said.