Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command says its personnel have started combing of forests around Ihube Okigwe area in search of the four Catholic Church sisters abducted Sunday morning by bandits.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident, vowed that the perpetrators would be fished out.
“We received a report of that nature. The commissioner of Police has already given direction and we have our men combing that area and enough policemen have been drafted.”
Unidentified gunmen on Sunday kidnapped four sisters of the Catholic church, along the Okigwe-Umulolo area.
Ikengaonline gathered from a statement tagged ‘Sad News’ issued to newsmen in Owerri by the Sisters Of Jesus The Saviour (Generalates) and signed by the Secretary-General, Zita Ihedoro, that the sisters were going for a church thanksgiving service of one of their colleagues when the incident occurred.
The names of the sisters include: Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu.
“Sisters Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu are kidnapped,” the statement read in part.
“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 sad event of their abduction occurred around the Okigwe-Umulolo area this morning shortly after the sisters were on their way to the thanksgiving mass of our sister.
“We implore for 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.”
