The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Reverend Bala Galadima, a presiding pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Lubo, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area.
According to The PUNCH, the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday during what authorities have described as a robbery attack.
Speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, stated that the attack was not a targeted assassination but rather a robbery that turned fatal.
“The issue is a robbery because they entered the house at night and attempted to steal from him,” Abdullahi said. “Unfortunately, from the way he was shot in the back, it appears he was trying to escape, which is a natural reaction, and he was hit.”
In response to the killing, Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Bello Yahaya, visited the hospital where the pastor’s body was taken and has deployed a special squad to restore calm in the community.
He assured residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.
A community member, Ahmadu, who recounted the incident, explained that the gunmen first stormed the ECWA Church before moving to a nearby residence, where they allegedly stole money.
“They didn’t come for the pastor directly, but we heard that he was shot when he peeped outside after hearing suspicious noises,” Ahmadu said.
“The gunmen entered through a compound belonging to civil defence personnel before carrying out the attack.”
