Bandits slay pastor, abduct 20 worshippers in Kaduna community

The United Church of Christ in Nigeria, UCCN, also known as HEKAN, has raised the alarm over the killing of one of its pastors and the abduction of more than 20 worshippers in a Kaduna community.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when heavily armed bandits invaded Farin Dutse community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to the church, the attackers shot and killed the resident pastor, Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya, before whisking away more than 20 church members and residents into the bush.

The incident report from HEKAN indicates that the assailants struck during the early morning hours, firing indiscriminately as residents ran for their lives. Many were caught unawares, while others hid in nearby farms and bushes.

The attack: How the tragedy unfolded

Eyewitnesses and church sources said that after the shooting subsided, Pastor Kambasiya came out of hiding to check on his congregation. Tragically, he was shot in the back, with the bullet piercing through his chest, killing him instantly. His body was later recovered and taken to a nearby morgue.

The HEKAN President, Reverend Dr. Amos Kiri, described the incident as “callous, inhumane, and wicked.” He said that bandits have turned many Christian communities in southern Kaduna into hunting grounds for ransom and bloodshed. “With a heavy heart,” he said, “we mourn our dear pastor, who died serving his people faithfully.”

According to reports, over twenty members of the church were abducted and taken to an undisclosed location. The attackers are believed to be part of the same network of bandits responsible for previous raids across the region.

Pattern of bandit attacks in Kaduna

This incident is not isolated. Over the past three years, Kaduna State has experienced repeated attacks on communities, churches, and schools. The southern and central parts of Kaduna are particularly vulnerable, with bandits targeting villages for ransom, livestock, and food.

In September 2024, three people were killed and about 30 worshippers abducted during a Sunday service in Bakinpah-Maro community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The pattern continues with little to no prosecution of the perpetrators.

Religious leaders, especially pastors and missionaries, have become frequent victims. Many are targeted because they are seen as community leaders or as sources of ransom revenue. The HEKAN Church has now lost two of its pastors to similar incidents within a year.

Impact on the HEKAN Church and the community

The killing of Reverend Kambasiya has left the entire congregation in mourning. Church members describe him as a humble, dedicated servant who spent decades spreading the gospel in rural areas. His sudden death has not only left a spiritual void but also shattered community morale.

Families of the abducted members remain in shock, as no group has officially claimed responsibility or made ransom demands. The church said it is working with local security forces to locate the victims, though progress has been slow.

“The pain is unbearable,” said one elder. “Our pastor was more than a preacher; he was our father, counsellor, and guide. To see him killed this way breaks our hearts.”

Rising insecurity in Kaduna State

Kaduna State has become one of the flashpoints of insecurity in Nigeria. The persistent attacks by armed groups have led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of kidnappings. According to data from security trackers, between January and October 2025, over 900 people were killed and more than 2,000 abducted in various parts of the state.

The Farin Dutse attack highlights the state government’s ongoing struggle to contain rural banditry. Despite repeated assurances, most rural communities still lack adequate security presence. The terrain, lack of technology, and poor road networks make it easy for bandits to escape after carrying out their crimes.

Government and security responses

The Kaduna State Government condemned the killing of Reverend Kambasiya and promised to intensify security operations across Kauru Local Government. The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, said security forces have been deployed to pursue the attackers and rescue the abducted worshippers.

He reassured residents that the government would not allow criminal elements to hold the state hostage. However, many locals have expressed frustration, saying similar promises have been made in the past with little tangible result.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other church bodies have called for urgent government intervention, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a national emergency on insecurity.

Farmers and residents living in fear

HEKAN’s statement also noted that many farmers in the affected areas can no longer go to their farms for fear of being kidnapped. “We are witnessing economic strangulation of our people,” the church said. “Hunger and insecurity now walk hand in hand in southern Kaduna.”

Residents of Farin Dutse say they live in constant fear of new attacks. Many have fled to nearby towns like Kafanchan and Zonkwa for safety. The local economy, heavily dependent on farming, has been devastated by these recurrent attacks.

Religious persecution or criminal banditry?

While most attacks in Kaduna are attributed to bandits seeking ransom, the repeated targeting of churches and pastors has raised concerns of religious undertones. Analysts believe the violence in southern Kaduna has elements of both criminal and sectarian motives.

“The attackers understand the symbolic power of targeting pastors,” said one security analyst. “Killing a pastor sends fear throughout the community and disrupts both spiritual and social life.”

National implications of the Kaduna bandit crisis

The constant wave of killings in Kaduna is gradually eroding public trust in Nigeria’s security institutions. The Farin Dutse massacre shows that even sacred spaces like churches are not spared. Experts warn that continued inaction could worsen the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Nigerian Senate has on several occasions debated the issue of banditry in the North but has failed to agree on a unified countermeasure. Many citizens now rely on local vigilantes for protection, further complicating security coordination.

What needs to be done

Security experts and religious leaders have outlined several urgent steps:

• Swift Rescue Operation: Deploy specialized units to rescue the abducted worshippers before they are moved out of reach.
• Improved Intelligence: Strengthen local intelligence networks and surveillance in rural areas.
• Community Policing: Support collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups under clear oversight.
• Accountability: Arrest and prosecute known bandit leaders to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
• Economic Recovery: Provide rehabilitation for affected communities and reintroduce farmers to their lands.

Condolences and solidarity

Sympathies have poured in from across Nigeria. The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and other denominations have extended condolences to the HEKAN Church and the family of the late Reverend Kambasiya.

“We stand in solidarity with our brethren in Farin Dutse,” CAN said in a statement. “This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to act decisively against terrorists and bandits who kill without conscience.”

How the faith community is responding

HEKAN members have launched daily prayer sessions for the safe return of those abducted. Some branches have started security awareness programs, teaching members what to do in the event of an attack. Volunteers have also raised funds to support the victims’ families.

Local pastors say they will not be intimidated. “We will not stop preaching, no matter the threat,” one clergyman said. “Our faith is stronger than fear.”

Conclusion: A call for justice and protection

The killing of Pastor Yahaya Kambasiya and the abduction of more than twenty worshippers is another painful reminder of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform in the country’s security architecture.

Every life lost to banditry weakens the nation’s moral fabric. As HEKAN’s Reverend Dr. Amos Kiri concluded in his statement: “We call on security agencies and relevant authorities to go after these bandits and rescue those abducted. Families of the victims are passing through unbearable trauma.”

Until decisive action is taken, communities like Farin Dutse will continue to live in fear, and the nation’s faith in justice and safety will remain shaken.

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Source: Vanguard Nigeria

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