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Five nuns kidnapped in southern Nigeria

Five nuns kidnapped in southern Nigeria
A nun prays outside a Catholic church in Lagos, Nigeria, April 3, during a re-enactment of Jesus' passion and crucifixion as part of Holy Week celebrations. CNS photo/Akintunde Akinleye, Reuters

By Catholic News Agency

October 30, 2018

ISSELE-UKU, Nigeria – Five nuns were abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Delta state on Thursday, according to local media.

The nuns are members of the Order of the Missionary of Martha and Mary.

They were kidnapped Oct. 25 while returning from a burial. They were taken near Agbor, about 25 miles west of Issele-Uku.

The religious women were in a vehicle which the kidnappers shot at. Along with the five abductees, another two nuns were injured.

At least five priests have been kidnapped in Delta state this year.

Violence against Christians has significantly increased in Nigeria in recent years, with the Islamist terror group Boko Haram threatening safety in the north, and smaller violent gangs threatening security in the south.