by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As rampant invasion of bandits, attacks and killings heightens and, gradually becoming a reoccurring decimal, parents – mostly Christians in southern parts of Kaduna State – have deviced strategies to protect and prevent their children from being kidnapped by the terrorists.
Recalled that cases of rampant bandits invasion, attacked and killings have been reported in the some parts of Southern Kaduna in recent times, with the current one being the killing of a clergyman, Reverend Yahaya Kambasaya, and abduction of over twenty persons, especially HEKAN worshippers, in Kauru LGA of the State.
Other places where bandits incidents had struck earlier include, Kajuru LGA, and the Kujama community in Chikun LGA, all located in southern part of Kaduna State.
The application of putting them in bags allegedly saved some children and a mother from being kidnapped along with the father, for pretending to be walking as but a ‘physically-disabled’ person with kidnappers.
The strategies introduced, among other things, include putting their small children inside bags, like “Ghana Must Go” and dropped in a corner, and also pretend to be physically-disabled by leg to avoid being kidnapped and taken away when bandits strike their homes.
According to local eyewitness source, parents in Kujama quickly arranged their children in bags on a sad day, immediately the wave of bandits invasion was received, and kept them in corners of their room, and open the door already being hited with hard knocks by people suspected to be gunmen.
“Both parents, the father and mother, were whisked out of the room after a quick search was conducted through their rooms without seen anyone like human beings.
“On their way into the bushes, the bandits discovered the mother was moving so slow and wasting their time. The bandits, on noticing the disability, angrily hit down the woman with pushing and asked her to, “please, go back,” while they took the father away alone,” the victim mother allegedly narrated.
The bandits, according to the woman source, called back a few days later, demanding for millions of naira as ransom on the incident, which occurred about last week.
Recalled that a heavily-armed terrorists group attacked Farin Dutse Community in Kauru LGA of southern part of Kaduna State, killing a clergyman, Reverend Yahaya Kambasaya and abducting over twenty persons, including HEKAN Church members.
The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), otherwise known as ‘HEKAN,’ has already condemned the armed bandits’ invasion and attack on Farin Dutse Community, in a statement signed by HEKAN President, Rev. Dr. Amos G. Kiri.
The terror group reportedly invaded the community and unleashed mayhem on the armless citizens in the early hours of Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, in the LGA, with the abductors still in captivity.
Four other members of HEKAN Church, Kakude Local Church Branch, earlier kidnapped on October 19th, 2025, are still being held captive by the bandits, as confirmed and contained in the statement signed by the President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), aka HEKAN, Reverend Dr. Amos Kiri, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, HEKAN Members, especially in Kauru Local Government axis, have been experiencing attacks by the 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 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,” it stated.
Report from one of their pastors, Rev. Dauda Gambo, who is the Chairman of HEKAN Kauru District Church Council, stated that “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,” Dr. Kiri stressed.
“The attack resulted in the death of Rev. Yahaya Kambasaya and the kidnapping of over 20 people; among them are HEKAN members,” he added.
“The bandits invaded the community and started shooting sporadically at her locals, and whisked away with those captured. Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya and a few others had to hide in a farm till the end of the gunshots, which lasted for long.
“Immediately the bandits stopped shooting, the clergyman, Rev. Kambasiya, 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,” Dr. Kiri explained.
The HEKAN President, however, said that the body of the clergyman killed by the terrorists has been deposited in a morgue, awaiting approval of burial date from his family.
“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,” Dr. Kiri said.
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.
HEKAN calls on the security agencies and all relevant authorities to go after the bandits and rescue those kidnapped, as families of the victims are going through much trauma.
The church also pray to God to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria, especially the security challenges, which has, and is still claiming lives, properties of citizens and has instilled fear in the minds of many, including farmers who could not access their farms, in order to harvest their farm produce due to the 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 moments,” Rev. Kiri added.
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 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 injuries. On 1st December, 2024, one Bitrus Alma, his sister and two others were kidnapped both at Farin Dutse, Kauru Local Government, Kaduna.
Similarly, on the 4th January, 2024, Rev. Francis Lawal and fifty others were kidnapped. Though, one died in the hands of his captors but 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 organizations.”
Contacted, though, the spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not respond till press time.