ECWA Pastor Killed In Armed Attack At His Residence

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers have killed Reverend Buba Galadima, the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Lubo community, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when the assailants invaded the pastor’s residence.

It was gathered that Reverend Galadima was shot in the upper part of his back, reportedly while trying to escape from the attackers.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Gombe State Police Command, Buhari Abdullahi, described it as a case of robbery that resulted in the clergyman’s death.

“The issue is a robbery because they entered into the house at night. Maybe they attempted to rob him, but unfortunately, from the way he was shot at the back, it seems he was trying to escape,” Abdullahi said.

In response to the attack, Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Yahaya, visited the hospital where the pastor’s body was taken. He has since deployed a special squad of police officers to the area to track down the perpetrators.

Yahaya assured the public that the suspects would be apprehended and brought to justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abdullahi said Yahaya visited the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe that night and stayed until 5 a.m. to assess the situation firsthand.

He added that Yahaya had deployed a team of skilled and technical personnel to the area and expressed confidence that the police would thoroughly investigate the incident.

Abdullahi dismissed claims linking the attack to suspected bandits, emphasising that the state had no history of banditry.

“We have launched a special operation, and we are confident that the perpetrators will be arrested,” he assured.

When asked why the attack occurred despite a police-imposed nighttime movement ban, Abdullahi explained that the restriction only applied to Gombe metropolis.

However, he noted that Yahaya had instructed all Area Commands in the state to enforce the restriction more broadly.

A resident of Lubo, who spoke anonymously, recounted that the gunmen stormed the town around 1 a.m., firing multiple gunshots to announce their presence.

According to the eyewitness, the attackers first went to the ECWA church in the community before moving to a nearby compound, where they stole money.

“They took N300,000, ransacked the houses, and then asked about the deceased’s residence, which was just a fence away,” he said.

The witness added that upon locating the pastor’s house, the gunmen shot him in the upper back.

He said following the attack, the community has been plunged into mourning and fear, with many residents still struggling to come to terms with the incident that occurred early Sunday morning.