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Fresh fears over what church leaders and advocacy groups describe as a growing Christian genocide in Nigeria have intensified following the killing of Ven. Edwin Achi, the Kaduna Anglican priest abducted alongside his wife on October 28.

GWG.ng reports that the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, confirmed the priest’s death in a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday night, describing the development as a devastating blow to the Church.

Until his death, Achi served as Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero, an area that has recorded multiple attacks on Christian communities in recent years.

Church authorities lamented:

“His transition is a painful loss to the entire Diocese, the clergy, the Church family, and all who were blessed by his faithful ministry… We continue to pray for the release of his wife and daughter who are still in the hands of kidnappers.”

The terrorists had stormed the family residence in the early hours of the morning in October, abducting the priest, his wife and daughter—a pattern Christian groups say mirrors repeated assaults targeting pastors and worship centres across Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and parts of the Middle Belt.

Earlier Wednesday, the kidnappers released pictures of the priest, his wife, and other abducted victims, while issuing threats to kill the couple if their family failed to pay a ransom reportedly reduced from N600 million to N200 million.

A family source told FIJ:

“Nobody has that kind of ransom lying around. They threatened that if by this weekend the ransom demand isn’t met, they will be unalived.”

Christian advocacy organisations have repeatedly warned that the killing of clergy and relentless attacks on church communities amount to systematic persecution, accusing authorities of failing to protect vulnerable Christian populations.

The latest killing is expected to fuel renewed calls locally and internationally for Nigeria to be formally designated as a country where Christians are facing genocidal targeting.