Two Catholic reverend nuns have been kidnapped by some gunmen along Ufuma Road in Anambra State’s Orumba North Local Government Area.
It was discovered that the victims were abducted late on Tuesday while returning from a meeting of their vocational association at the Ogboji community in Orumba North LGA.
The victims, Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, were named in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Maria Ikeotuonye, the Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Onitsha, Anambra State.
“With sorrow, we write to inform the general public of the kidnapping of our two sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, yesterday evening, Tuesday, January 7, 2025,” the statement with the heading, “Notification of kidnapping and call for prayers,” said.
“Sr. Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School Nnewi, and Sr. Okonkwo is the principal of Archbishop Charles Harvey Memorial Model Secondary School Ufuma.
“We commend our Sisters to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary for their speedy release from the hands of their kidnappers.
“They were abducted along Ufuma Road while returning from a session of their vocational association in Ogboji.
“We ask that you offer up your sincere prayers and requests to God so that they can be released as quickly as possible and return to us without incident.”
Nonetheless, the church prayed for the victims’ unconditional and speedy release.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development when reached on Wednesday. He also mentioned that a combined effort headed by the police is currently underway to potentially rescue the victims who were kidnapped.
“The likely rescue of two Catholic nuns who were allegedly abducted along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government is already the subject of a police-led joint effort, according to Ikenga.
“On the evening of yesterday, July 1, 2025, the sisters were returning from a vocational service meeting in Ogboji when the tragic tragedy took place.”
He said that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations and Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Itam had already visited the area to conduct a spot audit.
“The command is currently working with a few hints to perhaps apprehend the suspects and save the victims. We will provide further details, please,” he added.
