The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, has condemned the recent attack by armed bandits on the Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during which one of its priests was killed.
The attackers were said to have invaded the community and unleashed mayhem on innocent and unarmed residents, leading to the killing of Reverend Yahaya Kambasaya.
More than 20 persons, including members of HEKAN, were also reportedly abducted and remain in captivity.
According to a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Kaduna, Reverend Amos Kiri, HEKAN President, said “the sad event took place in the early hours of Tuesday, 28th October 2025,” adding, “four other members of HEKAN Church, Kakude Local Church Branch, were earlier kidnapped on October 19th 2025, and are still being held captive.”
Kiri said, “HEKAN members, especially in the Kauru Local Government axis, have been experiencing attacks by armed men suspected to be bandits or cattle rustlers.
“With a deep heart, on behalf of HEKAN Headquarters, I wish to inform the world of a tragic incident that occurred in Farin Dutse, a community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, of bandits’ attack on our pastor and some other persons in the area,” he added.
The HEKAN President said, “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.
“The attack resulted in the death of Rev. Yahaya Kambasaya and the kidnapping of over 20 people, among them HEKAN members,” he added.
“The bandits invaded the community and started shooting sporadically at the locals and whisked away those captured. Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya and a few others had to hide in a farm till the end of the gunshots, which lasted a bit long.
“Immediately the bandits stopped shooting, the clergyman, Rev. Kambasiya, thought they had gone, so he came out of his hiding in the farm to check, only for him to be shot at the back. The bullet penetrated through his chest, and he died immediately,” Kiri explained.
The HEKAN President, however, said that the body of the clergyman has been deposited in a morgue, awaiting approval of the burial date from his family.
He said, “The body of the deceased reverend has been deposited, and the leadership of the church is consulting with the family to determine the funeral arrangements.”
Authorities of the HEKAN Church described the bandits’ attack as callous, inhumane and a move to frustrate the church and its members, especially in the affected area.
Meanwhile, HEKAN has called on the security agencies and all relevant authorities to go after the bandits and rescue those kidnapped.
The church also prayed to God to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria, especially the security challenges which have been claiming lives and destroying properties of citizens, and have instilled fear in the minds of many, including farmers who cannot access their farms to harvest their produce due to fear of being killed or kidnapped for ransom.
“HEKAN, as a church, requests your prayers for the family, the church and the community during this trying moment,” Reverend Kiri said.
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It would be recalled that HEKAN Church in the same area was attacked by bandits on 4th December 2024, which led to the abduction of fifty persons, among whom were HEKAN members, including its pastor, Reverend Francis Lawal.
“On 1st December 2024, one Bitrus Alma, his sister and two others were kidnapped, both at Farin Dutse, Kauru Local Government, Kaduna. Similarly, on 4th January 2024, Rev. Francis Lawal and fifty others were kidnapped.
“Though one died in the hands of his captors, others were released after three months and returned home with various degrees of injuries.
“HEKAN had already informed the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern States, CAN Kaduna State, Divisional Police Station, Kauru, among other organisations,” the statement stressed further.
