By DAYO ADESULU
Grief Deepens In Kaduna As Abducted Priest Reportedly Dies In Bandits’ Den
The focus key phrase for this story is: Venerable Achi dies in captivity
A wave of mourning has swept through Kaduna State following confirmation that abducted Anglican priest, Venerable Edwin Achi, has died while being held by bandits. The development has sparked renewed calls for decisive action against the escalating kidnap crisis across the country.
How The Abduction Happened
Venerable Achi and his wife, Sarah Achi, were taken from their home in the Nissi community of Chikun Local Government Area on October 28, 2025. Their residence, which lies close to the Kaduna Refinery corridor, has seen repeated insecurity incidents over the years. The couple’s abduction was first reported the next day, drawing widespread concern from church leaders, community associations and rights groups.
According to the family, the abductors later released photographs of the couple as proof of life. In the images, the priest and his wife appeared distressed and visibly weak, while other hostages, some chained, could also be seen behind them. The kidnappers demanded a ₦600 million ransom, worsening the family’s anxiety as the days dragged on.
Family Source Confirms Priest’s Death
A family source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday night that the priest, who served as the Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero, Kaduna, did not survive his ordeal. Though details surrounding his death remain sketchy, the source noted that the harsh conditions in the camp may have contributed to his demise.
The death of Venerable Achi has left his congregation and the wider Anglican community shattered. Several church members who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed frustration over the state’s continued security failures, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where attacks occur regularly.
Kaduna’s Worsening Security Situation
Achi’s death adds to a troubling pattern of violence in southern Kaduna, where both residents and security personnel have been frequent targets. Penultimate Friday, two police officers were killed during a nighttime attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Zonkwa town, headquarters of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. Local residents confirmed the incident, describing the assault as yet another reminder of the growing audacity of criminal groups in the region.
Security analysts say the repeated killings and kidnappings underscore the urgent need for a coordinated and intelligence-driven strategy that addresses both the root causes and daily realities of banditry. Many stakeholders argue that despite several security deployments, communities in Chikun, Zangon Kataf, Kajuru and Birnin Gwari still face relentless threats.
Calls For Action Grow Louder
Religious bodies, civil society groups and local leaders are calling on the federal and state governments to treat the security breakdown as an emergency. Several church organisations have reiterated earlier appeals for increased surveillance, community policing frameworks and improved response times.
Many believe the death of Venerable Achi will become a rallying point for renewed advocacy, especially within faith-based organisations that have suffered repeated losses in recent years. His congregation described him as a gentle leader committed to peace-building, pastoral care and community support.
What Comes Next
Security officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the priest’s death or the condition of his wife, Sarah, whose fate remains uncertain. The community continues to hope for her safe return, even as fears rise over her wellbeing.
For many residents, the tragedy is a stark reminder of how ordinary families remain trapped between survival and terror. And until sweeping reforms, local intelligence networks and stronger political will emerge, families like the Achis remain vulnerable.
The death of Venerable Achi in captivity adds yet another painful chapter to Kaduna’s insecurity crisis—one many fear could deepen unless the government takes swift, decisive action.
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