Nigeria: Appeal for prayers as two Sisters kidnapped

Source: ACN

Two religious Sisters were abducted on Tuesday (7th January) in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

The kidnapped religious, Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, belong to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ - which sent a message to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) asking everyone to pray for their unconditional release.

Sister Vincentia María, the principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, and Sister Grace Mariette, a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi, were seized on the Ufuma road after attending a meeting in Ogboji, a town in the Aguata Local Government Area, according to the congregation's secretary-general Sister Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye.

Although not officially confirmed, it is believed that the abductors are local armed criminals, commonly known as kidnapping gangs.

These groups, which seek financial gain through ransoms, have stepped up their activities in south-east Nigeria.

Sister Ikeotuonye called for the "powerful intercession of our blessed mother Mary for their speedy release".

She added: "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."

According to research by ACN, 11 priests were abducted in the country in 2024 and another priest was killed.

LINKS

Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org

IHM Sisters: https://ihmsistersng.org/