The wife and daughter of the late Venerable Edwin Achi, the Anglican priest who tragically died while held by kidnappers, have been released after enduring three harrowing months in captivity.
The release occurred late on Thursday night, January 15, 2026, bringing an end to the ordeal that began on October 28, 2025, when armed bandits stormed the family's home in Nissi community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Ven. Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church in Ungwan Maijero, was abducted alongside his wife, Mrs. Sarah Achi, and their daughter.
The kidnappers, who demanded an initial ransom of N600 million (later reportedly reduced), killed the priest in captivity around late November 2025, a devastating blow confirmed by the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna. The church, led by figures including Archbishop Henry Ndakuba and Bishop Timothy Yahaya, had repeatedly appealed for the safe return of Mrs. Sarah Achi and her daughter, describing their continued detention as deepening an already unimaginable grief.
Family sources confirmed that Mrs. Sarah Achi and her daughter are now receiving medical attention as they begin the long process of recovery from the trauma. While details surrounding the release— including whether a ransom was ultimately paid—remain unclear, the development has sparked widespread gratitude and prayers across social media and church communities.
Many Nigerians described the news as bittersweet: joy at the survivors' freedom tempered by sorrow over Ven. Achi's murder and the persistent threat of banditry in northern Nigeria. The case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of religious leaders and ordinary citizens to abduction for ransom, fueling calls for stronger security measures and decisive action against criminal networks.
The Anglican Diocese and relatives expressed thanks to those who amplified the family's plight online and through advocacy, noting that sustained public attention may have contributed to the outcome. As the family reunites and heals, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of Nigeria's enduring insecurity crisis.
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