Gunmen kidnap four Catholic reverend sisters in Imo

Four reverend sisters have been abducted by gunmen in the Okigwe-Umulolo axis of Okigwe LGA of Imo state.

TheCable understands that they were seized while on their way to a thanksgiving mass in the LGA.

Zita Ihedoro, secretary-general of The Sisters of Jesus The Saviour Generalate, confirmed their abduction in a statement issued on Sunday.

The kidnapped victims were identified as Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great pain that we bring to your notice the kidnapping of four of our sisters mentioned above,” the statement reads.

“The sad event of their abduction occurred around Okigwe-Umulolo axis this morning shortly after the sisters were on their way to the thanksgiving mass of our sister.

“We implore for an intense prayer for their quick and safe release. May Jesus the Saviour listen to our prayers and may Our Mother Mary intercede for the unconditional release of our dear sisters.

A resident of the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity said kidnapping has become incessant around Ihube-Okigwe road.

“Despite several army checkpoints mounted around our community, kidnapping has become a weekly occurrence, if not daily,” the resident said.

“Last time, it was a reverend father that was kidnapped and today, four reverend sisters [were] kidnapped on the same day.”

Michael Abattam, the Imo police command spokesperson, did not respond to calls and messages when contacted by TheCable.