Nigeria is reeling from the killing of an Anglican priest abducted in Kaduna state, a tragedy that underscores the deepening security crisis gripping the country’s north. Venerable Edwin Achi, seized with his wife and daughter on October 28, was confirmed dead after a month in captivity, the Church of Nigeria announced.
Church officials described the priest’s killing as a devastating blow to the Anglican community. His wife and daughter, abducted alongside him, remain in captivity, with no immediate update on their condition.
Gunmen had initially demanded 600 million naira ($416,000) for Achi’s release before reportedly reducing their demand to 200 million naira. Despite negotiations, the abductors killed Achi, prompting widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Archbishop Henry Ndakuba condemned the murder as “tragic” and urged authorities to identify and dismantle the networks driving the kidnapping industry. He appealed for urgent reforms, saying the church “cannot continue burying its clergy under these barbaric circumstances.”
The violent killing comes amid a dramatic surge in kidnappings across northern Nigeria.
In recent months, heavily armed groups have abducted schoolchildren, clergy, farmers, and travellers with increasing frequency and brazenness.
Just weeks earlier, at least 25 schoolgirls were taken in Kebbi state in a nighttime raid that left families terrified and helpless. In a separate incident, more than 300 students and teachers were seized from a Catholic school in Niger state, sparking national and international alarm.
The escalating insecurity has forced President Bola Tinubu to declare the situation a “national emergency.” He has ordered the recruitment of 50,000 additional police officers and suspended foreign travel for government officials until the crisis is addressed.
Security analysts say kidnapping-for-ransom has evolved into a lucrative industry sustained by armed bandits, local collaborators, and cross-border criminal networks. Communities in rural areas, particularly in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara, remain among the hardest hit.
International attention intensified following Achi’s death, with U.S. President Donald Trump condemning the violence. He warned that Washington could reconsider aid to Nigeria or take unspecified action if the attacks persist.
For many Nigerians, however, such global reactions offer little immediate comfort. Communities continue to endure fear, economic disruption, and trauma as abductions become a near-daily reality.
Human rights groups argue that insufficient policing, poor intelligence coordination, and decades of neglected rural development have contributed to the problem. They say decisive reforms—rather than emergency statements—are needed to reverse the trend.
Within the Anglican community, Achi’s killing has triggered mourning and reflection about the dangers clergy now face. Church leaders expressed grave concern over escalating attacks on Christian institutions and civilian populations.
In Kaduna state, residents say they are exhausted by repeated appeals for help that go unanswered. Many communities have formed vigilante groups, but these local efforts remain insufficient against well-armed criminal gangs.
As the search continues for Achi’s wife and daughter, church members are pleading for intensified rescue operations. Authorities have not released details about ongoing efforts, citing security reasons.
For now, Nigeria confronts yet another tragedy in a long line of avoidable losses. Venerable Edwin Achi’s death stands as a grim reminder of the urgency of tackling the country’s widening security crisis before more innocent lives are taken.
