Callous Murder of a Pastor: How Fleeing ECWA Pastor was Shot at Close Range in Gombe

Contrary to some reports that Boko Haram terrorists did it, the Nigeria Police Command in Gombe State has stated the circumstance surrounding the gruesome killing of Rev. Buba Galadima, pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Lubo community of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of the state.

According to the spokesman of the police command, Buhari Abdullahi who confirmed the murder, the clergyman was shot at the back at close range, in the early hours of Sunday, February 9, 2025, while trying to flee from armed robbers who invaded his house.

Abdullahi said: “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.”

A resident of Lubo community corroborated the police account of the attack. Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, the eyewitness said that the dare-devil gunmen who invaded the town at about 1a.m., announcing their presence with multiple gunshots.

According to the eyewitness, the robbers first visited the ECWA church in the community before moving to a nearby compound which they ransacked and stole N300,000.

But before they left, they allegedly asked for the pastor’s house, which was just a fence away. And they moved straight to Rev. Buba Galadima’s residence.

Apparently gripped by the fear of the approaching marauders, Galadima was said to have tried to run away. But he wasn’t fast enough as the robbers reportedly shot him at his upper back. And the Pastor died.

The police spokesperson said that his principal, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Yahaya, visited the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where the body of the deceased was deposited. And he deployed a special squad of police personnel to the area. Yahaya was said to be in the area till 5a.m., directing affairs himself.

The police boss was optimistic that the culprits would be apprehended, no matter how fast they run, and they would be brought to account.