Kaduna Cleric, Wife Held for Weeks While Leaders Feast in Abuja
By Passman Akpos
The wave of kidnappings in Nigeria has taken yet another devastating turn as Ven. Edwin Achi of the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Kaduna, and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Achi, remain in the custody of abductors more than three weeks after they were kidnapped in Kaduna on 28 October 2025.
Ven. Achi, a native of Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State, and his wife were reportedly taken alongside several other victims whose faces appeared in a disturbing photo released by the kidnappers. The abductors are demanding a staggering ₦600 million ransom, an amount many have described as outrageous and deliberately cruel.
Human rights advocate Harrison Gwamnishu, in a public statement, condemned the incident while calling for immediate action from the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government, and all national security agencies.
> “This situation is unacceptable. Every day these victims remain in captivity is another day of trauma and uncertainty for their families and communities. The Government must intervene immediately to secure their safe release,” Gwamnishu said.
His comments reflect the growing frustration and fear among Nigerians, many of whom took to social media to express anger over the rising insecurity and what they perceive as government indifference.
Public Outrage: “Where Is the Government?”
The kidnapping sparked an avalanche of reactions, with many questioning why security agencies, especially the DSS, appear powerless in the face of rampant banditry.
> “Wait o, no be human being dey release these pictures? Abi DSS can’t track them but can track someone over a post on social media?” one commenter wrote.
Others compared the current situation to previous kidnapping cases where security forces successfully tracked and rescued victims.
> “DSS could track the bandits that abducted Kwara faithfuls. So wetin come do this man of God wey him own dey hard?”
Some lamented the perceived priorities of political leaders, pointing to ongoing political gatherings in Abuja despite the national security crisis.
> “And Akpabio and senators have been invited to a dinner at the Villa on Friday… Meanwhile citizens are being kidnapped daily.”
Church, Civil Society Under Fire for Silence
Many Nigerians also criticized the seeming silence of religious institutions, especially the Anglican Communion.
> “And all Anglican bishops in Nigeria are quiet.”
> “All the churches in that state should be protesting by now. They should raise alarm for the world to see.”
The outcry reflects a growing sentiment that institutions—both religious and governmental—are failing in their duty to protect citizens.
A Nation Losing Hope
Commenters described Nigeria as a country “sliding deeper into normalized criminality,” with young people now joking that kidnapping has become one of the “most lucrative careers” in the land.
> “On career day, children will soon be dressing like bandits because that’s the only government-approved lucrative job.”
Others expressed profound despair at the seeming inability of leadership to safeguard its citizens.
> “Right now, we don’t even know what to say to the government anymore. If someone can openly say bandits should be allowed to continue kidnapping as their means of livelihood and still walk free, what else is left?”
Growing Calls for Action
Security experts say the kidnappers appear emboldened by slow government response and the absence of comprehensive counter-kidnapping strategies. Civil society organizations, including the LSafe City Foundation, have joined the call for urgent intervention.
One supporter from the diaspora even pledged resources:
> “Harrison, when I get back to the US, I will support you with partners and equipment like drones.”
Yet, many Nigerians remain skeptical as similar promises have yielded little impact in the past.
A Nation Waiting
As Ven. Edwin Achi and his wife remain in captivity, their families, congregation, and entire communities remain in anguish. The longer the ordeal lasts, the louder the question grows:
How long will Nigerians continue to live under the terror of bandits while the government looks away?
For now, the nation waits—hoping for a rescue, demanding accountability, and praying that this latest tragedy does not become just another number in Nigeria’s growing list of unresolved kidnappings.
