Two Catholic nuns have been abducted by gunmen along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The victims, identified as Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, were on their way back from a vocational association meeting at Ogboji community when they were kidnapped late on Tuesday.
Maria Ikeotuonye, Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. She expressed deep 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,” the statement read. “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. She appealed for fervent prayers for their safety and unconditional return.
The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed the abduction in a statement on Wednesday. Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga announced that 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.
The incident occurred on the evening of January 7, 2025, as the nuns were returning from the vocational meeting. Ikenga further revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, along with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, had visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
