Bandits slay pastor, abduct 20 worshippers in Kaduna community

Tragedy struck the Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State as bandits killed a clergyman, Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya, and abducted more than 20 worshippers during an early morning att+ck on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, confirmed the incident in a statement by its President, Reverend Dr. Amos Kiri, who condemned the a§§ault as “callous, inhumane, and w+cked.”

According to a report from the HEKAN Kauru District Church Council Chairman, Reverend Dauda Gambo, the g¥nmen invaded the community at dawn, sh++ting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes. “Reverend Kambasiya and a few others hid in a nearby farm. Thinking the g¥nmen had left, he came out of hiding, only to be sh+t in the back. The b¥llet pierced through his chest, and he d+ed instantly,” the report stated.

Dr. Kiri said the late pastor’s remains had been deposited in a morgue while the church works with his family on burial arrangements. He noted that the latest incident adds to recurring att+cks on HEKAN members in the area. In December 2024, about 50 persons, including a pastor, Reverend Francis Lawal, were abducted Lawal later d+ed in captivity. On October 19, 2025, four members of the HEKAN Kakude Church were also k+dn@pped and remain in captivity.

“The continuous att+cks on our members in Kauru have become worrisome. We call on security agencies to go after the b@ndits and rescue those abducted. Families of the victims are passing through unbearable tr@uma,” Dr. Kiri said.

He urged Nigerians to pray for the bereaved families and those still in captivity, saying, “HEKAN as a church requests your prayers for the family, the Church, and the community. We pray that God will intervene and bring an end to these incessant k+llings and kdn@ppings.”

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