Vivian Uchechi Ogu
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Benin City, Nigeria
Benin City, Nigeria
Vivian Uchechi Ogu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 April 1995 Benin City, Nigeria |
| Died | 15 November 2009 (aged 14) Benin City, Nigeria |
| Cause of death | Murder by gunshot |
Vivian Uchechi Ogu (1 April 1995 – 15 November 2009) was a Nigerian 14-year-old lay person who was martyred for defending her chastity. She was declared Servant of God on 7 October 2023 at Holy Cross Cathedral by Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Ogu was born in Benin City on 1 April 1995 to Peter Ogu and his wife in Imo State, Nigeria. She was the second out of four children. She attended the Air Force Nursery and Primary School. She was a parishioner of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City. She was a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the choir mistress of the children's choir, and the president of the Holy Childhood Association in the parish.[1]
Martyrdom
On 15 November 2009, while at home that evening, armed robbers came to rob her family and afterward took her and her sister to a nearby bush and attempted to rape her. She refused and opted to be shot instead. She also continually instructed her sister to do the same, distracting the robbers, and allowing her sister to escape. Her body was found the following day.[1]