Two Catholic Sisters Abducted in Nigeria Released, “in good health” after Weeklong Captivity

Onitsha, 14 January, 2025 / 10:50 PM

The two members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ (IHM), who were abducted on January 7 from Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha have regained their freedom, the leadership of the Sisters’ Congregation in the West African nation has said.

In a statement that ACI Africa obtained on Tuesday, January 14, IHM Secretary General in Nigeria says that the two Sisters were “released unconditionally” and that they are “in good health”.

“I bring to your notice in joy that our dear Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli who were kidnapped in the evening of Tuesday 7th January, 2025 have been released unconditionally and in good health,” Sr. Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye says in the statement dated Monday, January 13. 

Sr. Ikeotuonye goes on to acknowledge with appreciation those who accompanied IHM members in prayers during the weeklong tribulation following the abduction that took place in Anambra State in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. 

“We thank God and thank you all for your prayers and support all through these rough and uncertain days,” the IHM Secretary General in Nigeria says, and implores, “ May God forever be blessed through Mary our Mother.”

Sr. Vincentia Maria and Sr. Mariette were kidnapped along Ufuma road while returning from their Vocational Association's meeting at Ogboji in Anambra State.

Sr. Vincentia Maria is the Principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School Ufuma while Sr. Grace Mariette is a Teacher at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School Nnewi.

In a statement following the abduction of the two women Religious, the IHM Secretary General in Nigeria had appealed for spiritual solidarity, saying, “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.”

“We commend our Sisters Vincentia Maria and Grace Mariette to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary for their speedy release from the hands of their kidnappers,” Sr. Ikeotuonye had stated in her statement dated January 8, a day after the abduction incident. 

Nigeria has been grappling with Muslim extremist violence since 2009, perpetrated by groups such as Boko Haram, which reportedly persecute Christians, sometimes kidnapping them for ransom and, in some cases, killing them.

A 2025 report by the Pontifical charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, gives hope for the people of God in Nigeria as fewer Clergy and Religious were kidnapped in 2024 compared to the previous year, 2023; and that in 2024, none of the abducted Clergy and Religious was killed.

Sabrine Amboka contributed to the writing of this story.