- U.S. lawmaker insists Trump designate Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern
The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (HEKAN) reported a deadly attack in Farin Dutse, Kauru LGA.
Early on October 28, 2025, heavily armed bandits stormed the quiet community and fired indiscriminately.
Consequently, they killed Reverend Yahaya Kambasiya and abducted more than twenty residents, HEKAN said.
The attackers also seized worshippers from the HEKAN church, witnesses told the church leadership.
Meanwhile, U. S. lawmaker Reiley Moore has urged President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, citing reports of the killing of a pastor and the abduction of other church members in Kaduna.
Mr Moore described the killing of Yahaya Kambasya, the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), popularly known as HEKAN, and the abduction of his church members as “horrific” in a post on X.
“Horrific news out of northern Nigeria. A pastor was shot and killed, and 20 Christians were abducted. This is the second attack on this same Christian community just this month,” Mr Moore said.
He added, “Enough is enough. It’s time to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, @SecRubio.”
Reverend Dr Amos Kiri, national president of HEKAN, in a statement on Thursday labelled the assault callous, inhumane, and wicked, and demanded action.
He added that the pastor’s remains lie in a morgue pending burial discussions with the family.
Previously, bandits abducted about fifty people on December 4, 2024, including Reverend Francis Lawal.
Lawal later died in captivity, illustrating the region’s escalating danger, HEKAN warned.
Similarly, on October 19, 2025, kidnappers seized four members of HEKAN Kakude Local Church.
Earlier, US Senator Ted Cruz accused Nigeria’s government of enabling massacres against Christians.
He claimed 50,000 Christians died since 2009, and many churches and schools were destroyed.
However, the federal government strongly rejected genocide claims as false and divisive, Minister Idris said.
Dr Kiri urged security agencies to pursue the bandits and rescue those still captive.
He also called on Nigerians to pray for grieving families and abductees.
On a related note, Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo accused authorities of ignoring ethnic violence in Plateau State.
Dachomo showed a viral burial video and alleged that Fulani herdsmen killed eleven people near Jos.
He blamed imported militias for systematic attacks and demanded urgent military intervention.
Furthermore, Dachomo condemned public figures denying the killings and threatened divine judgment.
He vowed to present evidence, including photographs, at a future press conference.
Overall, church leaders said Nigeria’s Christians live in rising fear and need protection now.
