By Els William
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two Catholic nuns by yet-to-be-identified gunmen along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the incident in a statement issued in Onitsha on Wednesday. Ikenga stated that the nuns were kidnapped on Tuesday evening while returning from a vocational service meeting held in Ogboji.
A Joint Security operation is reportedly underway to facilitate the rescue of the victims. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nnaghe Itam, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations have visited the scene for a spot assessment. According to Ikenga, the command is pursuing several leads to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the abducted nuns. Additional updates will be provided as investigations progress.
This incident adds to the growing concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings and criminal activities across the country, particularly targeting religious leaders and institutions. The recent spate of abductions highlights the urgent need for strengthened security measures to protect citizens and restore public confidence in they in the state and the country in general. Observers have continued to call for a holistic approach to tackling the underlying factors fueling these crimes, including poverty, unemployment, and the proliferation of arms. Meanwhile, catholic community in the State and others are praying for the safe return of the victims and the cessation of such heinous acts.