Ebonyi Police Command Arrests Catholic Nun For Alleged ∆bduction, F0rced Psychiatric Treatment Of Younger Sister
Ebonyi Police Command Arrests Catholic Nun For Alleged Abduction, Forced Psychiatric Treatment Of Younger Sister
The source said Offo was being questioned over the alleged abduction and subsequent treatment of Rev. Sr. Mercy at a psychiatric recovery facility after she was allegedly taken away from her internship duty post.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has reportedly arrested Mother Martha Nkiru Offo, Superior General of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd (SJGS), over allegations bordering on the abduction, unlawful detention and forced psychiatric treatment of a junior nun, Rev. Sr. Mercy Chinwe Nnamchi.
A source privy to the matter told SaharaReporters on Thursday evening that Offo was arrested following allegations that Rev. Sr. Mercy was forcibly removed from her duty post at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FETHA), on May 30, 2026.
“They have arrested her. She is with the police now,” the source told SaharaReporters.
The source said Offo was being questioned over the alleged abduction and subsequent treatment of Rev. Sr. Mercy at a psychiatric recovery facility after she was allegedly taken away from her internship duty post.
“The superior of a congregation of rev sisters in Ebonyi will be arrested any moment from now over a case of abduction, harassment and forced psychiatric treatment of a junior Rev Sister. Details of the matter are with the police and the NHRC office in the state,” the source had said.
The source subsequently identified the arrested nun as Mother Martha Nkiru Offo, describing her as the Superior General of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
According to the source, Offo is being investigated over the alleged abduction of Rev. Sr. Mercy Chinwe Nnamchi from her duty post at AE-FETHA on May 30.
The source alleged that Rev. Sr. Mercy was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location where she was forcibly injected and subjected to psychiatric treatment.
The location was later identified as the New Life Recovery Centre, a psychiatric recovery facility, according to the source.
“She was later transferred to Annunciation Hospital following pressure from FETHA,” the source said.
The allegations are contained in a petition submitted to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and copied to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, by Mr Chukwudi Nnamchi, the elder brother of Rev. Sr. Mercy.
In the petition dated June 10, 2026, the family alleged that Rev. Sr. Mercy was forcibly removed from her internship duty post at AE-FETHA by Sr. Cecilia Chizoba Igboagbuchi, allegedly acting with two unidentified men said to be affiliated with a psychiatric facility.
The petition alleged that the removal was carried out with the knowledge and approval of some leaders of the congregation, including Sr. Celestina Obodo and Mother Martha Offo.
The family alleged that Rev. Sr. Mercy was handcuffed, deprived of her means of communication and transported against her will to an undisclosed location in Enugu State.
According to the petition, the action was taken over allegations that she was mentally unstable and had refused medication.
The family further alleged that while in detention, Rev. Sr. Mercy was subjected to medical treatment and multiple injections without her informed consent.
It also alleged that her family was denied access to her and was not provided information about her alleged diagnosis, medication or treatment plan.
The petition stated that the family only gained access to her after she was transferred to Annunciation Hospital following inquiries made by officials of FETHA.
The family described the alleged conduct as a violation of Rev. Sr. Mercy’s fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and informed consent to medical treatment.
The petition also disputed the allegation that Rev. Sr. Mercy was mentally unstable, stating that she had previously undergone a voluntary psychological assessment at FETHA II
According to the family, she had consistently demonstrated rational judgment and responsible conduct.
The family further stated that on March 15, 2026, Rev. Sr. Mercy expressly rejected allegations concerning her mental state and requested to be left alone.
It also said attempts had been made to resolve the dispute with the leadership of the congregation before the alleged abduction occurred.
The family subsequently asked the NHRC to secure Rev. Sr. Mercy’s immediate and unconditional release from any form of involuntary detention or confinement and investigate the circumstances surrounding her removal, detention and treatment.
It also called for accountability for anyone found to have violated her rights and requested that she be allowed to continue and complete her internship programme at AE-FETHA.
The family further requested an independent medical and psychological assessment supervised by an oversight committee involving the NHRC, police, family members, congregation leaders, traditional authoritie and an independent medical team from a recognised government-approved tertiary healthcare institution.
The proposed medical team was to include a consultant psychiatrist, medical doctor, medical laboratory scientist and other relevant healthcare professionals.
The latest reported arrest of Mother Martha Offo marks a significant development in the controversy surrounding Rev. Sr. Mercy’s alleged removal and involuntary treatment.
However, the allegations contained in the petition have not been established in court, and it remains unclear what specific offences the police have formally recorded against Offo.
SaharaReporters understands that the matter is currently before the police and that the NHRC has also been petitioned over the alleged violations.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged psychiatric treatment, the medical basis for Rev. Sr. Mercy’s admission and the roles of the other individuals named in the petition are expected to form part of the investigation.
