Canadian nun, two priests kidnapped in Cameroon

Two priests and a Canadian nun were abducted in Cameroon late Friday night, officials say.

According to The Associated Press, the kidnapping occurred about 30 kilometers from the Nigerian border, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Canadian Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Caitlin Workman said in a statement, "We are pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information and are in close contact with Cameroonian authorities."

The Canadian nun was identified as Gilberte Brussieres, a 79-year-old Quebec woman, who has been providing assistance in Africa for over 30 years. She is part of the Congregation de Notre-Dame in Montreal.

The two Italian priests were Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri. The Italian foreign ministry refused to provide any further details into the two priests until they are recovered.

AFP reports that it is believed that the three were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen and that officials suspect that they are likely still in the country.

The gunmen allegedly pulled up to the parish and before making off with the three Westerners, they pillaged from the building.

Kidnapping of Westerners is becoming a more common occurrence in the area, with a priest and seven French family members getting kidnapped last year.

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