Hundreds of residents of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region and its environs on Sunday held a grand vigil for the three missing young ladies that were reported kidnapped last year.

The mammoth vigil was also to highlight what they say is the wave of kidnappings that has hit the twin city.

Although police say only three ladies have been reported missing, residents say at least seven ladies, most of them teenagers, have gone missing since last year.

Read: Takoradi holds mammoth vigil for kidnapped girls

Clad in red, the residents thronged the dark streets, holding lighted objects such as candles and lamps and prayed sporadically to seek the face of God in the impasse.

Many churches and other groups in the region joined the event, marching through principal streets of the twin-city before converging at the Takoradi Jubilee Part to pray for over four hours before dispersing.

Pastors, generally, prayed for the girls, their families and even the kidnappers -- believed to be a Nigerian syndicate -- asking God to strengthen the girls and care for them wherever they may be.

Watch moving photos from the grand vigil below.

Photo: Ruth Love Quayson’s cousin could not hold back tears as she speaks to Joy News at the vigil

Photo: Ruth Quayson’s mother and her sister pray fervently to God for intervention.

Photo: This pastor at the church that Priscilla Bentum attends said special prayers to the missing church member.