Two Catholic reverend sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, were abducted by unknown gunmen on Tuesday evening, 7th January, in Anambra State, Nigeria.
The nuns were returning from a vocational association meeting in Ogboji when they were taken along Ufuma Road in the Orumba South Local Government Area.
Sr. Nwankwo is the Principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Sr. Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi.
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, confirmed the abduction in a statement released on Wednesday, 8th January. The statement appealed to all members of the religious community to offer prayers for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted sisters.
The Anambra State Police Command has launched a joint operation to rescue the nuns. Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam visited the scene and assured the public that the command is actively pursuing leads to apprehend the suspects.
A statement issued by the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and detailed the ongoing rescue operation.
Unfortunately, insecurity, including frequent abductions, has become a significant concern in Anambra State.
