Suspected bandits have attacked Farin Dutse, a community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing a pastor identified as Reverend Yahaya Kambasya and abducting about 20 residents.
Gatekeepers News reports that the armed men were said to have stormed the village in the early hours of Tuesday, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents.
Reverend Kambasya, who served at the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), also known as HEKAN, was among those caught in the violence.
According to a statement issued by Reverend Amos Kiri, National President of HEKAN, the attackers surrounded the area, forcing many residents, including the pastor, to flee into nearby farmlands for safety.
He explained that after the gunfire subsided, Kambasya believed the gunmen had left and attempted to return to the village but was shot in the chest and died instantly.
Kiri 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 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 HEKAN president expressed concern over the repeated attacks targeting members of the church in the area, describing the situation as deeply distressing.
He recalled that in December 2024, gunmen also attacked a HEKAN church in the same community, abducting 50 worshippers, including the presiding pastor, Reverend Francis Lawal.
Kiri said, “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.”
“Sadly, one of the kidnapped victims died in the hands of his captors and several others 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.”
The latest incident adds to the growing insecurity in Kaduna State, where rural communities have continued to suffer repeated assaults from armed groups, leaving many residents displaced and fearful for their safety.
