ABUJA — An Anglican priest abducted in northwest Nigeria last month has been killed, church officials confirmed, as the country struggles with escalating kidnappings and violence.
Archbishop Henry Ndakuba of the Church of Nigeria said Venerable Edwin Achi, taken from his Kaduna state home along with his wife and daughter on October 28, was murdered after about a month in captivity. “With profound sorrow, we announce the tragic death of our beloved priest, who was brutally murdered after enduring a month-long abduction,” Ndakuba said.
Gunmen initially demanded a ransom of 600 million naira ($416,000) for Achi’s release, later lowering it to 200 million naira, the church reported. His wife and daughter remain in captivity. Authorities in Kaduna did not respond to requests for comment.
The killing follows a string of high-profile abductions in northern Nigeria. On November 17, armed gangs kidnapped 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state. Days later, more than 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school in Niger state, leading to school closures in several regions.
President Bola Tinubu has called the violence a “national emergency,” cancelling foreign trips and ordering the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers to strengthen security. The attacks have drawn international concern, with U.S. President Donald Trump describing the situation as “a disgrace” and warning of potential cuts to aid or military intervention if attacks on Christians continue.
Ndakuba urged government authorities to identify those financing and enabling the violence and called for the immediate release of Achi’s wife and daughter.
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