Two ECWA Church Pastors Killed By Bandits In Kaduna, Kwara

By Ayodele Oni

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) is in mourning mood over the death of its two Clerics in the hands of  bandits.

The two separate incidents happened in Kaduna and Kwara States.

In the Kaduna incident, Rev. Anthony Lamba, was abducted by bandits in Southern Kaduna since July.

In a statement signed by Rev. Alari Alari, Chairman of ECWA Kasuwan Magani District Church Council (DCC), Lamba was  kidnapped along with his wife, Christiana Anthony and Danlami Zana while working on their farm on Friday, July 25.

But while his wife was released after  the payment of a five-million Naira ransom, the Cleric was refused release because the bandits requested for the purchase and delivery of a motorcycle to them. As efforts were stll being made to purchase and deliver the motorcycle, the Cleric  reportedly took ill in custody, and died.

The Church expressed grief over the development and in a statement said:  “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Rev. Anthony Lamba, who was kidnapped on July 25th, 2025, along with his wife.

“While his wife was later released after paying a ransom of ₦5 million, and they later demanded a motorcycle, Rev. Anthony remained in captivity.

“Sadly, while arrangements were being made to deliver the motorcycle, he fell seriously ill and passed away in the camp.

“A memorial service in his honor will be held at his hometown, Kallah, on Sunday, October 19th, 2025.

“Let us continue to pray for the Church of God and the family he left behind,” the statement added.

In a similar incident, according to reports by SaharaReporters  on Thursday, October 2,  terrorists ravaging communities in Kwara State brutally killed Reverend James Audu Issa, an ECWA pastor, despite collecting millions of Naira from his distressed family in ransom.

The Cleric was abducted from Ekati village in the Patigi Local Government Area around August 28, 2025.

His family, Church, and community members struggled for weeks to meet the abductors’ demands in the hope of securing his release.

Sources told Nupeko TV that the gunmen initially demanded N100million for his freedom.

After tense negotiations, the ransom was reduced to N5 million, which was eventually paid by the impoverished community in a desperate attempt to save the Pastor.

However, after receiving the N5 million, the bandits displayed extreme cruelty by demanding an additional N45 million. Before any further negotiations could be made, they killed the Cleric.