A pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Lubo, a community in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, has been shot dead. The victim, identified as Rev. Bala Galadima, was killed during an armed robbery attack in the early hours of Sunday.
The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that the attack was a robbery that tragically led to the pastor’s death. Buhari Abdullahi, the command’s spokesperson and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, noted that the assailants broke into the house at night, and the pastor was shot as he tried to escape.
“The issue is a robbery because they entered into the house at night and maybe they attempted to rob him, but unfortunately from the way he was shot at the back, maybe he was trying to escape, which is natural and normal, and he was shot,” Abdullahi said.
Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Yahaya, visited the hospital where the pastor’s body was taken. He also ordered the deployment of a special squad to track down those responsible. Yahaya was at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe until 5 a.m. to assess the situation personally. He assured the public that the police were committed to bringing the attackers to justice.
In response to concerns about security, Abdullahi clarified that the attack was not linked to banditry, as the state has no history of such incidents. He also mentioned that while there is a restriction on night-time movement, it currently applies only to Gombe metropolis. However, the police commissioner has instructed area commands across the state to enforce similar restrictions to improve security.
A resident of Lubo, who witnessed the attack and spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted how the gunmen stormed the community at about 1 a.m., firing multiple gunshots to announce their presence.
According to the witness, the assailants first targeted the ECWA Church before proceeding to a nearby compound, where they stole N300,000. After ransacking the houses in the compound, they inquired about the pastor’s residence, which was located nearby. Upon reaching his house, they shot him in the upper back.
