Incident Details
In a shocking event, armed assailants abducted two Catholic nuns, Vincentia Nwankwo and Grace Okoli, along Ufuma Road in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The kidnapping took place late on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as the sisters were returning from a vocational association meeting held in the Ogboji community.
Confirmation from Church and Police
Maria Ikeotuonye, the Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, released a statement on Wednesday, confirming the abduction. She expressed her deep concern, noting, “With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of our two sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli.” Nwankwo serves as the Principal of Archbishop Charles Harvey Memorial Model Secondary School, Ufuma, while Okoli is a teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School, Nnewi.
Call for Prayer and Action
Ikeotuonye called upon the community for prayers, hoping for the safe and swift release of the nuns. She stated, “We commend our Sisters to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary for their speedy release from the hands of their kidnappers.”
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Police Response
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on the same day. Ikenga announced that a police-led joint operation was immediately launched to secure the nuns’ rescue. “Police-led joint operation is already ongoing for the possible rescue of two Catholic nuns allegedly kidnapped along Ufuma Road,” he declared. He further mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, along with the Deputy Commissioner, had conducted an on-site review to expedite the investigation and rescue efforts.
Ongoing Investigations
The police are actively pursuing leads to apprehend the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the nuns. Ikenga assured that further information would be shared as the situation develops.
