Venerable Edwin Achi, an Anglican priest kidnapped with his wife and daughter in Kaduna state on October 28, has been killed after more than a month in captivity, the head of the Church of Nigeria confirmed on Friday.
Archbishop Henry Ndakuba said in a statement that the church was mourning “the tragic death of our beloved priest… who was brutally murdered after enduring a month-long abduction,” adding that Achi’s wife and daughter remain held by the kidnappers.
The church said gunmen initially demanded 600 million naira (about $416,000) for Achi’s release before lowering the ransom to 200 million naira, though negotiations failed. Police in Kaduna did not respond to requests for comment.
Achi’s killing comes as northern Nigeria faces a sharp escalation in mass abductions. In mid-November, armed gangs seized 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state and, days later, abducted more than 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger state, prompting authorities in several states to shut schools over safety fears.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of 50,000 police personnel and suspended foreign travel to focus on what he described as a national security emergency.
The surge in attacks has drawn international criticism. Former U.S. President Donald Trump this month called the situation in Nigeria “a disgrace” and warned that Washington could cut aid or consider military steps if authorities fail to stop violence against Christians. Ndakuba urged security agencies to identify those behind the attacks and appealed for the immediate release of Achi’s wife and daughter.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
