Abuja:

Three nuns and a seminarian, abducted from Nigeria's Imo State earlier this month, have been freed. The abductees were released on October 14, according to the vicar general of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae in Nigeria, Sr. Gloria Nnabuchi.

"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," said Sr. Gloria. She thanked the Church and the faithful for their prayers and support during this difficulty.

The nuns and the seminarian were abducted on October 5 on their way to Mbano to take part in the funeral of the mother of one of the sisters. Armed men took them away along with their driver.

The nuns, Srs. Rosemary Ejiowokeoghere Osiowhemu and Josephine Mary Chinyekwuo belong to the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae, and Sr. Maria Ngozi Okoye belongs to the Risen Lord congregations. Meanwhile, the seminarian Peter Eyakeno Sunday belongs to the Missionary Sons of the Most Holy Trinity.

The West African country Nigeria, has been terrorized by Islamist militants and armed bandits for over a decade. As a result, killings and abductions for ransom have become a daily incident, with the main targets being school children, Catholic religious, and civilians.

According to the latest report by Open Doors, every two hours, a Christian is killed in Nigeria. The organization aiding persecuted Christians reported that over a year, more than 5,000 Christians were murdered because of their faith. Over 4,700 Christians in Nigeria were kidnapped within the same period for following Jesus, and at least 1,000 Christians experienced sexual assault, harassment, or rape due to their faith. The report also said that a hundred thousand had to flee their homes.