On January 8th, 2020, gunmen attacked the Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, kidnapping Michael and three other seminarians. The men had disguised themselves in military camouflage, broke into the seminary and opened fire. While the main group stole laptops and phones, a smaller group grabbed Michael and three others to be ransomed later as hostages. Ten days later, on January 18th, one of the seminarians was found injured on the side of the road, giving officials hope for the other three. On January 31st, the seminary announced that two others had been released as well but not Michael yet.
A day later, Michael's body was found. Mustapha Mohammed, one of the kidnappers who would later be found and arrested, testified that he murdered Michael (18 at the time) because he would not stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the guards. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto Nigeria told reporters:
“With a very heavy heart, I wish to inform you that our dear son, Michael was murdered by the bandits on a date we cannot confirm, the first day Nnadi was kidnapped alongside three of his other colleagues, he did not allow [Mustapha] to have peace,” because he insisted on announcing the gospel to him
Bishop Kukah also spoke about Michael's mother and her reaction to the news:
“She looked up at me and said tearfully, ‘My Lord, you said Michael was still alive. Is he really dead?’” he recalled. “Before I could say anything, she provided a moving answer: ‘My Lord, but Michael entered Seminary with all his heart and body, all’, she said with finality.”