Nigeria: The local Sisters of Jesus the Savior Convent has disclosed the latest incident in a statement, describing about the abduction of four Catholic nuns by armed men in Nigeria in southeastern Imo state on Sunday.
The convent’s secretary general, Zita Ihedoro, said the four nuns were travelling from Rivers State to nearby Imo state for a thanksgiving Mass when they were abducted on the highway.
Meanwhile, she called for prayers for the release of the kidnapped nuns. Whereas, the incident appears to be the recent in a series of kidnap-for-ransom attacks in the region.
Last week, an abducted Catholic priest was released after allegedly paying a huge ransom and spending only two days in detention.
Moreover, the director of communication at the Catholic Society of Nigeria (CSN), Mike Umoh, said the abductions are a reality the church has too often confronted.
He said, “It is unfortunate reaffirmation of the disgusting situation we have found ourselves as a nation. And more sad is the fact that the government of the day seems either incompetent or unwilling to control the situation. We have been raising voice against the persistent callous attacks in the country.”
Nigerian authorities have been hassling to maintain security in many parts of the nation and are often face criticism for the failures.
Security forces have intensified their assault on armed gangs this month and have claimed some successes.
As per the statement released by the Nigerian Air force during the last week, the airstrikes in Katsina states and the northwestern region of Kaduna have resulted in the killings of around 55 gang members and led to the release of hostages.
Meanwhile, the local deputy governor of northwest Zamfara State said a notorious bandit, Bello Turji, has regretted and will be working with authorities to restore peace in the area.
The recent operations followed new orders from President Muhammadu Buhari to his army chief to “deal with terrorists” without constraints.
