The Anglican community in Kaduna State is in deep mourning. Reverend Edwin Achi, a respected Anglican priest, was tragically killed. He had been kidnapped with his wife, Sarah, from Chikun Local Government Area.
Armed assailants stormed their Nissi community home on October 28, 2025. They abducted the couple during this late-night raid. Their daughter was also seized in the attack.
The kidnappers first demanded a hefty N600 million ransom. This demand was later lowered to N200 million. However, the family could not secure the required amount.
Official Statement from the Kaduna Anglican Diocese
The Anglican Diocese of Kaduna expressed profound grief. They announced the death of Venerable Edwin Achi. He was the Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero. Achi’s passing is a deep sorrow for the Diocese. It affects the clergy, church family, and all touched by his service. The statement also confirmed his kidnapping with his wife on October 28, 2025. Prayers continue for his wife and daughter’s release. As a mark of respect, the “Standup for Jesus 2025” event has been cancelled.
On Tuesday, November 26, 2025, the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna confirmed Achi’s death. This confirmation came via their official Facebook page. They described his loss as agonizing for both the church and the wider community.
Earlier that Tuesday, kidnappers released photos. These showed the priest and his wife held captive. The images caused significant alarm. The perpetrators had warned they would kill the victims. This threat applied if the ransom was not paid by week’s end.
Avril, Achi’s nephew, later verified the priest’s murder. He previously disclosed a disturbing detail. Kidnappers had used the cleric’s phone. They posted photos of him on his Facebook account.
A family member shared their despair with FIJ. The household faced immense distress. They simply could not meet the abductors’ ransom demands.
Official statements from security agencies are awaited. They have not yet detailed efforts. The goal is to rescue the remaining captive family members. The initial ransom demand was an exorbitant N600 million. This was later reduced to approximately N200 million. An ultimatum was given. Kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if the ransom was not paid by the weekend.
Social Media Updates and Public Reaction
Various social media posts below reflect the public’s reaction and updates surrounding this tragic event.
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