Kaduna provides housing, scholarships to families of slain priest, mob victim

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting victims of violence, saying the state government will continue to provide housing, education, healthcare and economic empowerment to affected families across the state.

The governor stated this in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday after receiving the widow of the late Ven. Edwin Achi, Mrs Sarah Achi, and the husband of the late Ummulkhair Aliyu, Usman Aliyu, during separate courtesy visits.

Mrs Achi was accompanied by the Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Most Rev. Timothy Yahaya, while Aliyu was accompanied by Sheikh Haliru Maraya.

According to the governor, both families visited to express appreciation for the support they had received from the Kaduna State Government following the tragic deaths of their loved ones.

“I had the privilege of receiving Mrs Sarah Achi, wife of the late Ven. Edwin Achi, who paid a courtesy visit to express her heartfelt appreciation. She was accompanied by the Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Most Rev. Timothy Yahaya.

“I also welcomed Malam Usman Aliyu, husband of the late Ummulkhair Aliyu, whose life was tragically cut short in the painful incident of jungle justice in Maraban Jos. He was accompanied by Sheikh Haliru Maraya,” the governor wrote.

Sani recalled that after the two incidents, he personally visited both families to console them and assured them that his administration would stand by them beyond words of sympathy.

“In keeping with that commitment, we provided each family with a home, extended financial support to help them rebuild their lives, and assumed responsibility for the education of their children.

“In keeping with that commitment, we provided each family with a home, extended financial support to help them rebuild their lives, and assumed responsibility for the education of their children,” he stated.

The governor added that his administration remained committed to restoring hope, dignity and opportunities to victims of violence through access to decent housing, quality education, healthcare and sustainable economic empowerment.

He noted that the same philosophy informed the distribution of 100 housing units to victims of banditry across Kaduna State.

“We will continue to work closely with security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, and all stakeholders to build a Kaduna that is safer, more peaceful and more inclusive for every citizen,” he added.

The PidomNigeria reports that Venerable Edwin Achi, the priest-in-charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church in Ungwan Maijero, Kaduna State, was abducted from his home in the Nissi community, Chikun Local Government Area, alongside his wife, Sarah, and their daughter on October 28, 2025.

He died in captivity in late November 2025 following ransom demands. His wife and daughter were later released on January 15, 2026.

Similarly, Malama Ummulkhair Aliyu, an Islamic teacher and mother of four, was lynched and set ablaze by an irate mob in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after being falsely accused of child kidnapping.

Following both incidents, Governor Sani visited the bereaved families and announced measures, including the provision of houses, financial assistance and educational support for their children, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of their losses.