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Religious Congregation Grateful after Release of Abducted Nuns, Seminarian in Nigeria

Credit: Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae (MDME) in Nigeria

By Jude Atemanke

Abakaliki, 19 October, 2023 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).

The leadership of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae (MDME) in Nigeria has expressed appreciation to the people of God following the release of three Catholic Nuns, a Seminarian and a driver who were abducted from Nigeria’s Abakaliki Diocese on October 5.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Thursday, October 19, MDME Vicar General, Sr. Gloria Nnabuchi provides details about the release of Sr. Rosemary Ejiowokeoghere Osiowhemu, Sr. Maria Ngozi Okoye of the Risen Lord, Sr. Josephine Mary Chinyekwuo, Seminarian Peter Eyakeno Sunday, and Mr. Awoke Emmanuel.

“With gratitude to our great God, the Superior General and the entire members of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae, joyfully announce the safe release of our three kidnapped nuns, a seminarian and the driver on the night of 13/10/2023 and 14/10/2023 respectively,” Sr. Nnabuchi says in the statement dated October 14.

She adds, “We sincerely appreciate the Church and all the people of goodwill for your kind support throughout this trial moment…Thanks and God bless you all.”

In an interview with ACI Africa, Sr. Nnabuchi said a ransom of “1 million Naira (USD1,305)” had been paid for their release.

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The five were on their way to a burial in Nigeria’s Imo State when they came in contact with their abductors.

The abductors had reached out to MDME leadership in Nigeria, and proposed a ransom for the release of the victims. 

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

Since then, the group, one of largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.

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Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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