By Paschal Norbert
ONITSHA, JANUARY 10, 2025 (CISA) – The Catholic Church in Nigeria has been plunged into grief following the abduction of two Catholic nuns, Sister Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Sister Grace Mariette Okoli, in Anambra State,Nigeria.
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ (IHM), officially announced the incident on January 8 and called for prayers for their safe return.
According to a statement issued by Sr Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, Secretary General of the IHM, the nuns were kidnapped on Tuesday evening, January 7, 2025, along Ufuma Road. They were on their way back from a vocational association meeting in Ogboji when the incident occurred.
Sr Vincentia Maria is the principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Sr Grace Mariette serves as a teacher at Immaculate Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi. Both women are highly respected educators and dedicated members of their religious community.
In a heartfelt plea, the statement commended the two sisters to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, expressing hope for their prompt release. The religious community called on all clergy, religious, and lay faithful to join in fervent prayers for their safety and unconditional release.
“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,” appealed Sr Ikeotuonye.
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have a long history of service and dedication to education, healthcare, and pastoral care across Nigeria. The abduction of these nuns underscores the perennial insecurity in parts of the country and highlights the increasing vulnerability of the clergy and religious, who continue to serve courageously in communities despite rising security challenges and kidnapping for ransom, which has become an alarming trend.
