A pastor with the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, has been killed, and over 20 worshippers abducted, following a fresh bandit attack on the Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, left residents fleeing as heavily armed gunmen invaded the community, shooting sporadically.
HEKAN President, Rev. Dr. Amos Kiri, confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as “callous, inhumane, and wicked.” He identified the slain clergyman as Rev. Yahaya Kambasiya
, who was shot dead while trying to escape from the attackers.
According to a field report by the church’s Kauru District Chairman, Rev. Dauda Gambo, the bandits stormed the area at dawn, forcing residents into the bush. “Rev. Kambasiya came out of hiding, thinking the gunmen had left, but he was shot in the back and died instantly,” the report stated.
Dr. Kiri said the late pastor’s remains had been deposited in a morgue while burial plans were ongoing. He lamented the persistent attacks on HEKAN members, recalling previous incidents, including the December 2024 abduction of 50 persons—among them Rev. Francis Lawal, who died in captivity—and the October 2025 kidnapping of four church members still held by their captors.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted victims and end the recurring violence in Kauru. “Families of the victims are passing through unbearable trauma,” he said, calling on Nigerians to pray for the bereaved families and divine intervention in the nation’s security crisis.
The church said it had notified the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Kaduna State Police Command, and other relevant authorities about the attack.
