Kidnapped Kaduna priest dies in captivity

Thursday, November 27, 2025 - Terrorists have killed the Anglican priest, Ven. Edwin Achi, who was kidnapped alongside his wife, Sarah, a customs officer, in Kaduna State. 

Bandits invaded Nissi community in Chikun Local Government Area of the state on October 28, 2025, kidnapping the couple from their residence. 

The abductors contacted the family demanding a ransom of N600m for their release and later reduced it to N200m. 

The Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, confirmed the sad development in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, November 26, 2025.

According to the statement, the couple's daughter was also kidnapped. 

“With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, announces the passing unto glory of The Venerable Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero,” the statement read. 

"Ven. Edwin Achi, who was kidnapped alongside his wife on 28th October, 2025, has been confirmed dead. His transition is a painful loss to the entire Diocese, the clergy, the Church family, and all who were blessed by his faithful ministry, humble spirit, and unwavering devotion to the service of God.

“We continue to pray for the release of his wife and daughter who are still in the hands of kidnappers. On this note, the Standup for Jesus 2025 is hereby cancelled in honor of the late Venerable Edwin Achi. The Lord be with you.”

The latest development comes hours after the kidnappers released photos of the couple in captivity.

It was gathered that the terrorists had threatened to k!ll the couple if their family failed to pay the ransom by the end of the week.

Ven. Achi's nephew, Avril, also confirmed that the kidnappers m8rdered him. 

“They k!lled him. These monsters k!lled him,” he wrote. 

Earlier, he disclosed that the bandits had used the vicar's phone to take the photos and uploaded them on his Facebook page. 

A relative, who spoke with FIJ on Wednesday afternoon, said that the family members were in disarray over the incident because “nobody has that kind of ransom lying around”. 

“The kidnappers’ initial demand was a ridiculous amount of N600 million, but that has since gone lower, around N200 million or thereabouts now. And of an ultimatum, they threatened that if by this weekend the ransom demand isn’t met, they will be unalived,” he said.