A distressing development has emerged in the ongoing abduction case of a Kaduna-based Anglican priest, Rev. Edwin Achi of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna, along with his wife Sarah Achi, as a media personality—who identifies the cleric as his uncle—took to social media to claim that the kidnapped clergyman has been killed by his captors.
The priest, an Anglican Vicar serving under the Diocese of Kaduna, was abducted alongside his wife and a Customs officer nearly a month ago by suspected bandits. Their abduction drew nationwide concern, with appeals made to security agencies, government authorities, and religious institutions for swift intervention.
However, on Wednesday, the media personality posted an emotional update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that his uncle had been killed while in captivity. His post was accompanied by heartbreak emojis and expressions of grief, while describing the loss as both personal and deeply national. He lamented the state of insecurity in the country, expressing frustration over what he termed “the silence and inaction” of authorities.
His claim triggered an outpouring of condolences in the comment section, with many Nigerians mourning the alleged loss and calling on the government to “do more than issue statements” and prioritize citizen protection. Others questioned the state of the fight against banditry, particularly in the North-West region where kidnappings have remained frequent and often unresolved.
However, no official source—neither the police, the church authorities, nor the Kaduna State Government—has confirmed the priest’s death.
At the time of this report, his alleged death remains unverified, and security agencies have not issued any update regarding his status. Media restrictions around kidnapping cases, coupled with challenges in communication with the abductors, have also contributed to the lack of clarity.
Security analysts have warned against sharing sensitive unconfirmed information, especially in cases involving ongoing rescue operations. However, they also acknowledged the emotional burden families face in prolonged abduction situations, especially when ransom negotiations stall.
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Since his initial post, the media personality has continued to receive messages of sympathy while using his platform to highlight the trauma faced by families of kidnapped victims across the country.
While waiting for official confirmation of the priest’s status, calls have intensified for the government to step up intelligence gathering, community-based security collaborations, and robust strategies to end rampant abductions, which have increasingly targeted religious leaders, teachers, and rural residents.
Disclaimer: At the time of filing this report, the alleged death of the kidnapped Vicar has not been independently verified. The claim originates from a family member on social media. Authorities have not issued any official confirmation.