Gunmen have abducted two Catholic reverend sisters, Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening while they were returning from their vocational association meeting in Ogboji community.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Maria Ikeotuonye, the Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Onitsha, the sisters’ abduction was confirmed, and prayers were requested for their safe release.
Nwankwo serves as the Principal of Archbishop Charles Harvey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi.
The statement, titled “Notification of kidnap and call for prayers,” read, “With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of our two sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, yesterday evening, Tuesday, 7 January, 2025.
We commend our Sisters to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary for their speedy release from the hands of their kidnappers. We solicit your fervent prayers and supplications to God that they may be released as soon as possible and come back to us safe and sound.”
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the abduction and revealed that a police-led joint operation is underway to rescue the victims.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated, “The sad incident occurred in the evening of 7/1/2025 when the nuns were returning from a vocational service meeting in Ogboji.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations have visited the scene for a spot assessment. The command is already working with some clues for the possible arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims.”
The Catholic Church and the police have urged the public to offer prayers and support in ensuring the sisters’ safe return. Further updates on the case are expected as investigations continue.
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