Prayer Appeal for “safe release” of 3 Nuns, Seminarian Abducted from Nigerian Diocese

Abakaliki, 10 October, 2023 / 9:58 PM

Prayers are being sought for the “safe release” of three Catholic Nuns, a Seminarian and a driver reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Abakaliki Diocese.

In a note to ACI Africa on Tuesday, October 10, the Vicar General of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae (MDME) in Nigeria, Sr. Gloria Nnabuchi, provides the identity of the five, who were abducted on October 5 enroute to a burial in Nigeria’s Imo State.

The abductees include Sr. Rosemary Ejiowokeoghere Osiowhemu, Sr. Maria Ngozi Okoye of the Risen Lord, and Sr. Josephine Mary Chinyekwuo. The other two are Seminarian Peter Eyakeno Sunday, and Mr. Awoke Emmanuel.

The abductors have reached out to MDME leadership in Nigeria, and proposed a ransom for the release of the abductees. 

In another statement shared with ACI Africa, the Vicar General of MDME appeals for prayers, and provides further details of the abduction of their members.

“The Superior General and the members of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae are soliciting prayers from all people of good will, for the safe release of our three Sisters, one seminarian of the Missionary Sons of the Most Holy Trinity and one driver,” Sr. Nnabuchi says in the statement dated October 6.

She adds, “They were kidnapped 05/10/23 on their way to Mbano, Imo State for the burial of one of our Sister's mother.”

“Please, any vital information will be highly appreciated as you join us to pray for divine intervention,” Sr. Nnabuchi further says.

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

Since then, the group, one of largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.