Cleric k!lled as bandits ∆bduct 20 worshippers in Kaduna
Cleric killed as bandits abduct 20 worshippers in Kaduna
A pastor, Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, has been killed as bandits abducted no fewer than 20 worshippers in Kaduna State.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when heavily armed bandits invaded the quiet community, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents.
The attackers reportedly whisked away several villagers, including worshippers from the HEKAN Church.
In a statement, Amos Kiri, national president of HEKAN, said during the attack, the cleric and others hid in a farm amid sporadic gunshots.
Kiri said after the guns went silent, the preacher and others thought the bandits had left the community.
“According to a report from one of our pastors over there, Rev. Dauda Gambo, the chairman of HEKAN Kauru district church council, heavily armed bandits/cattle rustlers attacked the community (Farin Dutse) in the early hours of Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and perpetrated evil on innocent residents,” Kiri said.
“The attack resulted in the death of Rev. Yahaya Kambasya and the kidnapping of over 20 people among them are HEKAN members.
“The bandits invaded the community and started shooting sporadically at locals and whisked away with those captured.
“Reverend Yahaya Kambasya and a few others had to hide in a farm till the end of the gunshot which lasted a bit long.
“Immediately the bandits stopped shooting, the Clergyman Rev. Kambasya thought they’ve gone, so he came out of his hiding in the farm to go and check, only for him to be shot at the back which penetrated through his chest, so he died immediately.”
The national president said the church has been on the receiving end of a string of violent attacks in recent times.
“It would be recalled that HEKAN church in same area was attacked by bandits. On 4th December, 2024 Which led to the abduction of fifty persons among which are HEKAN members including its pastor, Reverend Francis Lawal,” he added.
“Sadly, one of the kidnapped victims died in the hands of his captors and several other returned with various degrees of injury.
“On 1st December, 2024, one Bitrus Alma, his sister and two others were kidnapped both at Farin Dutse, Kauru Local Government Kaduna.”
Kaduna is one of the hotbeds of baditry attack in Nigeria. Last week, the terror group killed two police officers in the Southern Kaduna region of Kaduna State.
The officers were killed inside a Divisional Police Headquarters in Zonkwa town, which is also the headquarters of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.
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