By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Two Catholic reverend sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, were abducted by unknown gunmen on Tuesday evening in Anmbra State.
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. Vincentia Maria Nwankwo is the Principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Sr. Grace Mariette Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi.
Their abduction was announced on Wednesday in Awka, in a statement signed by Sister Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, IHM Secretary General, on behalf of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ.
Although the statement did not say whether the abductors had established contact with any of the victims’ families or groups, it enjoined all priests, religious, and lay faithful to offer fervent prayers and supplications to God for the unconditional release of the sisters.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched a joint operation to rescue the kidnapped sisters.
Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam visited the scene and assured that the command is working with clues to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.
A statement issued by the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Wednesday, said, “Police-led Joint Operation is already ongoing for the possible rescue of two catholic nuns allegedly kidnapped along Ufuma Road, Orumba North Local Government.
“The sad incident occurred in the evening of yesterday 7/1/2025 when the nuns were returning from a Vocational service meeting in Ogboji.”
Unfortunately, insecurity has become a major concern in Anambra State, with frequent abductions.