In a heartbreaking revelation that has shocked Nigerians, prominent journalist Rufai Oseni has shared disturbing new details about the death of Venerable Edwin Achi, the Anglican priest from Kaduna diocese who was kidnapped alongside his wife last month.
The Tragic Kidnapping Incident
Venerable Edwin Achi and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Achi, were abducted from their home on October 28, 2025, according to initial reports. The couple remained in captivity for approximately one month before the devastating news of the priest's death emerged.
Journalist Oseni, speaking through his X platform account @ruffydfire, disclosed that he had been personally involved in raising awareness about the clergyman's plight after receiving a message about the kidnapping months earlier.
Family Connection and Ransom Tragedy
Oseni revealed a personal connection to the case, explaining that Venerable Achi was an uncle to his former colleague, Azubike Osimili, with whom he worked at Inspiration FM. This personal link made the tragedy particularly poignant for the journalist.
The most shocking revelation came when Oseni described what happened after the family paid the demanded ransom. "Truth is, after they paid ransom, Venerable Achi's body was released to them," Oseni stated. "What the bandits collected money for was for Venerable Achi's decomposing body."
This grim detail indicates that the priest had likely been dead for some time before the ransom exchange took place, adding further trauma to an already devastating situation for the family.
Heartbreaking Family Situation
One of the most emotionally charged aspects of Oseni's revelation concerned the priest's mother. The journalist confirmed that Venerable Achi's mother is still alive and had affectionately called her son "Ego Oyibo."
Oseni posed a poignant question to his audience: "All I'm going to ask today is that, 'what are we going to tell Ego Oyibo?' I think that's a question we should ask."
The priest's death was initially announced by his nephew, who revealed that the family learned of the tragedy when kidnappers uploaded pictures of the couple on Venerable Achi's Facebook page.
Earlier Ransom Demands and Public Reaction
Prior to these revelations, activist Harrison Gwamnishu of the Safe City Foundation had provided updates on the couple's situation, claiming that kidnappers were demanding an outrageous N600 million for their release.
The public response to Oseni's disclosure has been one of widespread outrage and sorrow. Social media users expressed their frustration with the security situation in Nigeria, with many criticizing the government's approach to handling banditry and kidnapping cases.
One user, @ugoansdollar, commented: "This is really sad, what else do we expect when terrorists are at the highest echelon of a government, too bad. May his soul rest in peace and may God console his mother."
Another user, @goodnessrufus, expressed deeper concerns: "I am afraid, down the road; Nigeria will go the Afghanistan way. When government pamper bandits and reintegrate them into the society, the war against banditry and killings can never be won."
As of the latest reports, the status of Mrs. Sarah Achi, the priest's wife who was kidnapped alongside him, remains uncertain, leaving family members and well-wishers in continued anxiety about her safety and eventual return.
