Family of Late Priest Who Died In Kidnappers’ Den Freed After Three-Month Captivity

Family of Late Priest Who Died In Kidnappers’ Den Freed After Three-Month Captivity.

The wife and daughter of a Nigerian Anglican priest, who himself died while being held by kidnappers, have been released after three months in captivity.

Ven. Edwin Achi was kidnapped some months back. Reports confirm he later died while still being held, after efforts by his family and church to gather a ransom for his release were unsuccessful. His wife and daughter, however, remained in the hands of the kidnappers.

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They have now regained their freedom. Details surrounding their release are unclear. Local online news sources suggest a ransom was eventually paid to secure them, but this has not been officially confirmed by authorities or the family.

This case has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing and widespread problem of kidnappings in Nigeria. In recent years, abductions, particularly targeting Christian communities in the country’s Middle Belt and northern regions, have become distressingly common.

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The situation is now attracting sharper international scrutiny. Following the recent abduction of more than 160 worshippers from a church in Kaduna State—an incident initially denied by local officials—the United States issued a strong statement after meetings with Nigerian security agencies.

American officials stated that the Nigerian government must take more effective action to stop these kidnappings and what they described as systematic attacks on Christian communities. They warned that without substantial improvement, the U.S. would consider direct intervention, including the potential use of military forces on the ground to target the armed groups responsible.

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The release of Ven. Achi’s family brings a painful chapter to a close, but underscores a national crisis that continues to endanger thousands. For many Nigerians, the relief of their freedom is tempered by grief for the priest who did not survive, and by anxiety over when the next abduction will occur.

Family of Late Priest Who Died In Kidnappers’ Den Freed After Three-Month Captivity.