Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Christian community in Kaduna State has been thrown into deep mourning following reports that Venerable Edwin Achi, an Anglican priest abducted alongside his wife, Sarah, has died in captivity more than a month after their abduction.
Venerable Achi, who served as the Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maigero, was taken with his wife on October 28, 2025, when armed men invaded their residence in the Nissi community of Chikun Local Government Area. The attack took place in a part of Kaduna that has suffered persistent security breaches, with the neighbourhood’s proximity to the Kaduna Refinery offering little protection against the growing wave of banditry.
Soon after the abduction, the kidnappers sent disturbing images to the family as proof of life. The photographs showed Venerable Achi and his wife in obvious distress, surrounded by other abducted victims who appeared weak, malnourished, and reportedly chained. The abductors subsequently demanded a ransom of N600 million—an amount far beyond the reach of the family and the church community.
According to a family source, the captors later informed some of the victims’ relatives that the priest had died while still being held. The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but the prolonged captivity, harsh conditions, and the deteriorating health of many hostages have raised serious concerns about the welfare of those still in the kidnappers’ den.
The news of his reported death has deepened the anguish of parishioners, colleagues, and members of the Anglican communion, who had been praying and mobilising for the couple’s safe return. For weeks, church leaders had avoided public comments, hoping ongoing negotiations would yield a positive outcome. Instead, the community is now faced with tragedy and uncertainty, as the fate of Mrs. Achi remains unknown.
Residents of Chikun Local Government Area say the incident highlights the worsening state of insecurity in the region, where repeated kidnappings, ransom demands, and violent raids have become part of daily life. Many locals argue that despite numerous military operations launched across Kaduna, rural communities remain vulnerable to heavily armed groups who operate with near impunity.
The reported death of Venerable Achi marks yet another painful chapter in Kaduna’s long-running battle with banditry and mass abductions. As Christian groups and civil society organisations react to the development, calls are growing for coordinated security reforms, greater protection for rural communities, and a renewed effort to secure the release of those still held.
For now, the Anglican community is in mourning, the Achi family is seeking answers, and the people of Kaduna are once again confronted with the human cost of a crisis that shows no sign of slowing.
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