Gunmen have killed Reverend Yahaya Kambasya, a pastor with the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), popularly known as HEKAN, and abducted at least 20 people during an attack on Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The assailants reportedly stormed the area in the early hours of Tuesday, shooting sporadically and causing widespread panic. Church members were among those kidnapped during the raid.
According to a statement by the National President of HEKAN, Reverend Amos Kiri, the slain cleric and several residents had taken refuge in a nearby farm as gunfire erupted. When the shooting subsided, Reverend Kambasya emerged from hiding, believing the attackers had retreated, but was tragically shot in the chest and died instantly.
“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.”
Kiri condemned the continued targeting of church members, recalling that in December 2024, the same community suffered a similar attack where 50 people, including another pastor, Reverend Francis Lawal, were abducted. One of the kidnapped victims later died in captivity.
Reverend Kiri described the latest assault as “a heartbreaking recurrence of violence” against innocent worshippers and urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons and restore peace in Kauru and surrounding communities.
Melissa Enoch
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