The reverend sisters across different Catholic convents in Edo State yesterday held a prayer session for the release of their colleagues who were abducted by gunmen.
The reverend sisters were joined by their colleagues from other religious communities and some Catholic faithful at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benin, the state capital, where prayers, including benediction and Mass, were held.
The six victims, comprising three reverend sisters, from the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Convent, and three other females, were said to have been kidnapped on November 13.
Southern City News learnt that the first names of the abducted nuns are Veronica, Frances and Roselyn.
It was learnt that the kidnappers had stormed the religious community in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state at about 11pm and forcefully took the nuns away.
A source close to the convent, who did not want to be named, told Southern City News that the other three females, identified as Vivian, Mariam and Anna, were aspiring to join the community before the incident occurred.
“They live in the place (community) and do charity work. They go about teaching children and praying for people. But we do not know why they (kidnappers) had to pick on them.
“But we thank God that, at least, they are still alive. We are appealing and praying that, by the grace of God, they would be released,” the source said.
The head of the convent, Sister Agatha Osarekhoe, who confirmed the kidnapping, however, stated that the community had yet to get details on whether a ransom had been demanded for their release.
“We do not have details. But we are asking that they should please release them,” Osarekhoe said.
Speaking at the prayer session, the presiding priest, Fr. David Ogun, said, “We have gathered by His (God’s) anointing to pray for our sisters who are in the hands of those we do not know. But no matter what it is, we pray for our country, Nigeria.
“We pray for all those who are involved in trying to get them out of that place that, very soon, all our prayers will be answered by God and our sisters will be with us. May God, who knows where they are, release them and bring them back to us hale and hearty.”
When contacted for comments, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, told our correspondent on Sunday that he could not confirm the abduction as he was in a meeting.
Kokumo said he would get back to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of the time of filing the report.
“I cannot confirm it now; I am in a meeting. When I am through, I will call you,” the police commissioner stated.
The reverend sisters were joined by their colleagues from other religious communities and some Catholic faithful at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benin, the state capital, where prayers, including benediction and Mass, were held.
The six victims, comprising three reverend sisters, from the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Convent, and three other females, were said to have been kidnapped on November 13.
Southern City News learnt that the first names of the abducted nuns are Veronica, Frances and Roselyn.
It was learnt that the kidnappers had stormed the religious community in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state at about 11pm and forcefully took the nuns away.
A source close to the convent, who did not want to be named, told Southern City News that the other three females, identified as Vivian, Mariam and Anna, were aspiring to join the community before the incident occurred.
“They live in the place (community) and do charity work. They go about teaching children and praying for people. But we do not know why they (kidnappers) had to pick on them.
“But we thank God that, at least, they are still alive. We are appealing and praying that, by the grace of God, they would be released,” the source said.
The head of the convent, Sister Agatha Osarekhoe, who confirmed the kidnapping, however, stated that the community had yet to get details on whether a ransom had been demanded for their release.
“We do not have details. But we are asking that they should please release them,” Osarekhoe said.
Speaking at the prayer session, the presiding priest, Fr. David Ogun, said, “We have gathered by His (God’s) anointing to pray for our sisters who are in the hands of those we do not know. But no matter what it is, we pray for our country, Nigeria.
“We pray for all those who are involved in trying to get them out of that place that, very soon, all our prayers will be answered by God and our sisters will be with us. May God, who knows where they are, release them and bring them back to us hale and hearty.”
When contacted for comments, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, told our correspondent on Sunday that he could not confirm the abduction as he was in a meeting.
Kokumo said he would get back to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of the time of filing the report.
“I cannot confirm it now; I am in a meeting. When I am through, I will call you,” the police commissioner stated.
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