Gunmen have abducted two Catholic nuns along Ufuma road in Orumba north LGA of Anambra state.
The sisters, identified as Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, were said to have been kidnapped on Tuesday while returning from their vocational association’s meeting at Ogboji community.
A statement on Wednesday by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the nuns’ congregation, prayed for their safe release.
The statement said Nwankwo is the principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi.
“With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnapping of our two sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, yesterday evening, Tuesday, 7 January 2025,” the statement reads.
“We commit our sisters Vincentia Maria and Grace Mariette 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. Pray also that they may be released unconditionally.”
Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra, said efforts are ongoing by the command to ensure the safe return of the nuns.
“Police-led joint operation is already ongoing for the possible rescue of two Catholic nuns allegedly kidnapped along Ufuma Road, Orumba north local government,” Ikenga said.
Nnaghe Itam, the commissioner of police in the state, who visited the scene of the incident, also said the command is working with some clues for the rescue of the victims and arrest of the suspects.
