The remains of Kaduna-based Anglican priest, Venerable Edwin Achi, who died while in the custody of his abductors, have been deposited at the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital mortuary in Kaduna, a family source confirmed on Friday.
Achi, who hailed from Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State, is expected to be buried in his hometown, Umaaja. However, arrangements for the funeral are still underway, and no date has been fixed.
Speaking confidentially, the family source revealed that preparations were ongoing to transport the cleric’s body home for burial.
“His corpse is at the morgue as we speak. We are preparing to take his remains home for final interment.
“No date has been fixed yet, but the church is doing everything possible to take the corpse home,” the source explained, noting that he was not authorised to address the matter publicly.
Achi served as the priest in charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He died while being held by kidnappers.
He and his wife were abducted on October 28, 2025, when gunmen stormed their residence in Nissi Village, near the Kaduna Refinery. The kidnappers took the couple to an undisclosed location and later demanded a ransom of N600 million.
Days after the abduction, the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, announced that the cleric had died in captivity. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the diocese described the development as a devastating loss.
“The Venerable Edwin, who was kidnapped alongside his wife on 28th October 2025, has been confirmed dead,” the church wrote, adding that the death was painful to the entire diocese, the clergy and members of the Anglican family who knew him for his “faithful ministry.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the cleric’s death.
