Venerable Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church in Ungwan Maijero, Kaduna, has died while in captivity, church authorities and local Christian leaders confirmed on Wednesday.
Achi was abducted on October 28, 2025, alongside his wife and daughter when armed men attacked their home in Nissi community, Chikun Local Government Area, shortly after the family had relocated there. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of 600 million naira.
“This is true but sad to the church and his family,” Reverend Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, said in a statement.
The Diocese of Kaduna in a statement said Achi’s death was a “painful loss to the entire Diocese, the clergy, the Church family, and all who were blessed by his faithful ministry.” The church continues to pray for the release of his wife and daughter.
Achi, originally from Umuaja in Delta State’s Ukwuani Local Government Area, is among a growing number of clergy and civilians targeted in Nigeria’s escalating insecurity crisis.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide state of emergency on security, directing the police and military to recruit additional personnel and ordering the deployment of trained forest guards to combat bandits and terrorists.
The president also urged the National Assembly to consider reforms allowing states to establish state police.
Nigeria has recently drawn international attention for rising incidents of kidnappings and killings, prompting criticism of government security policies.