In a bittersweet development, the wife and daughter of the late Anglican priest, Venerable Edwin Achi, have been freed after spending three harrowing months in the custody of kidnappers. The priest himself was killed while in captivity.
The family was abducted from their home in the Nissi community of Kaduna State on October 28, 2025, during a late-night raid by armed bandits. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦600 million, later reduced to ₦200 million, but the family was unable to raise the funds.
It was later confirmed that Venerable Achi, who served in the Diocese of Wusasa, Zaria, was murdered by his captors. His wife and daughter, whose identities have been withheld for security reasons, were released late on Wednesday night, January 15, 2026.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Insecurity
News of their release has been met with relief across social media, though tempered by grief over the priest's death. Many Nigerians described the outcome as "bittersweet," emphasizing that freedom came at the ultimate cost.
The incident underscores the persistent and severe security crisis in Nigeria's northern regions, where kidnappings for ransom have become rampant. Religious leaders, in particular, have increasingly become targets, highlighting the vulnerability of communities even in their homes.
While the surviving family members are now free, the tragedy leaves behind profound trauma and renewed calls for more effective government action to curb kidnapping and protect citizens from such brutal crimes.
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