The abductors of three Catholic reverend sisters and three aspirants for the convent have demanded a ransom of N20m for their release, the THEMOMENTNG.COM learnt.

The reverend sisters, from the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ) convent in Iguoriakhi, in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, and three other females, were kidnapped by gunmen on November 14.

The victims were said to have been taken away in a speedboat.

The sisters were identified as Aloysius Ajayi, Frances Udi and Roselyn Isiocha, while the other three females, identified only as Vivian, Mariam and Anna, were aspiring to join the convent before the incident occurred.

It was gathered that the kidnappers stormed the religious community at about 11pm and forcefully took their victims away.

A source told our correspondent recently that the kidnappers earlier demanded N50m but later reduced it to N20m.

The source stated, “They demanded N50m and, subsequently, they reduced it to N20m. As a matter of fact, the EHJ has been praying and I know very well that the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin and security personnel have been trying to see what they can do.

“But it all boils down to the kind of issues we have in this country. If it were to be in saner climes, one would have been able to, at least, pinpoint the location (of the kidnappers).”

Efforts to reach the head of the convent, Sister Agatha Osarekhoe, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, for comments were unsuccessful.

They also did not respond to text messages sent to their phones.

Meanwhile, a Catholic priest, Fr. Kevin Anetor, has launched an online campaign for the release of the victims.

It was also gathered that the archdiocese cancelled its annual religious get-together because of the development.

Anetor, in a Facebook post, decried the continuous captivity of the sisters, who had spent 46 days in the kidnappers’ den.

The priest, in the Facebook post, said, “It’s been many weeks already and our sisters have yet to be returned to us. Please, let’s all do something as we continue to pray for their safe release. Join the social media campaign. Share till something positive happens.”

He told our correspondent on the phone, “Sisters are not millionaires. Where do they expect them to get money to pay ransom? First of all, our prayer is that they are safe and the second thing is that they are released safe and sound.”

This is inexcusable since the incident occurred over a month ago. The abductors have remained silent, and they have not been reported to have asked openly for any ransom for their release. The women are not just religious but they belong to a rare breed of citizens in that they care for the vulnerable among us.

According to a source in the convent, “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.” The hope is that they are still alive. But information about their whereabouts and conditions is virtually nonexistent. According Sister Agatha Osarekoe, “we do not have the details. But we are asking that they should please release them.”

The Pope drew the attention of the international community to their plight, appealing to the hoodlums to release the women. He uttered those words when he was addressing adherents in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. While praying for the nuns he also included “all the other persons who find themselves in this painful condition” to be free in time for Christmas.

“From the heart, I unite myself to the appeal of the bishops of Nigeria for the liberation of the six Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, kidnapped roughly a month ago form the convent in Iguoriakhi,” the pontiff said, referring to the city in Southern Nigeria where the sisters resided.

“I pray with insistence for them, and for all the other people who find themselves in this painful situation,” the pope said. “May they, on the occasion of Christmas, finally return to their homes.”

The pontiff then led the crowd in praying the Hail Mary for the missing nuns.

It is painful indeed that while many Nigerians spent their yuletide in joy and jollification, the nuns could not enjoy their austere life in peace during the festive season. Testimonies of persons in custody indicate that they are usually in perilous conditions. Although most tend to come out alive, we have heard of a few deaths. Hence the fears and prayers for the nuns.

Although the story of the six nuns in Edo State has gained much attention, there are others in the abductors net. Three other nuns were kidnapped by hoodlums on their way to Abuja a few days after the Edo incident. They were not the only victims, the driver was also taken away. The names of the abductees are Mother Angeleen Umesurike, Sisters Anabilis Onuoha and Kate Nweke. According to a release from Sgr. Gerard Lopez, the vicar general of the Diocese of San Bernardino: “We do not yet know who are responsible for this terrible act and the hoodlums have not yet indicated what they want for their release. All the sisters are praying seriously for God’s interventions for their immediate release.”

The Abuja incident is still relatively muted and it has also indicated that hoodlums find the prospect of holding nuns attractive.

In Kogi State, Sister Blessing Olowojoba has also been reported kidnapped in Okene. This incident predated the others as it happened July 7 this year. She belongs to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

The nuns do not fit into the standard fare of victims. They are not money bags. They do not work for any politicians. They are not in the showy club of Nigerians who want to be seen, heard and praised. Nuns are humble, unobtrusive and socially reclusive. They do not seek anyone’s attention except to help or proselytize.

Hence the silence of the Inspector General of Police should be condemned. Not even the Commissioners of Police in Edo and Kogi States as well as Abuja have engaged the public on the subject.

People don’t expect nuns to be attacked because of what they represent. The recent spate of kidnappings calls for the Catholic Church to work with the Nigerian government to step up security for their religious order.

The fear now is that the Catholic Church may be compelled to restrict the activities of the nuns in order to protect them for the ravages of hoodlums.

Last year, two nuns were rescued in Ondo State, but it is a risky business to rely on armed strategy to get these women to safety. Hence preventive measures should be stepped up in convents around the country.

This one is strong

Lord have mercy
this is becoming serious, the Catholic Church does not pay ransom for any one... I remember a similar case happened in auchi not too long ago.

the sister was released but by then she had lost sanity.

God help them since our country has failed to do so