The body of Reverend Bala Galadima, an Evangelical Church Winning All Pastor tragically killed by unknown gunmen in Lubo District, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, was on Tuesday laid to rest in his hometown, Lano.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Jack Tasha, Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Governor, Deputy Governor’s office.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the funeral service which took place at ECWA Church Lano, was marked by deep sorrow and emotional tributes, where the community gathered to bid farewell to the late clergyman.
Leading the official government delegation was the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, who conveyed the heartfelt condolences of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the people of Gombe State.
Dr Jatau extended sympathies to the deceased’s immediate family, the Christian community, and the entire Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area.
He urged all to accept the death as an act of God and called for calm, asking the ECWA Leadership to avoid quick judgement and speculation or assumptions until the facts were clear.
In his address, Jatau noted that while the killing of a clergyman was a tragic incident, there was no conclusive evidence linking the act to a particular group, religious or tribal.
He recalled similar past incidents where the perpetrators were later found to be members of the same group, tribe or religion.
Jatau further directed the security agencies to live no stone unturned in pursuit of apprehending those responsible for the killing and ensure they face justice.
He urged leaders to exercise restraint and patience in handling such sensitive matters to prevent the situation from escalating.
“I appeal to you as leaders to be patient, calm and avoid reaching conclusions until the culprits are arrested. You could recall sometimes past a pastor was killed and it was later discovered that the culprits are members of the same Church. Just recently, there were killings in Kuri town, Yamaltu -Deba Local Government and the general notion was that it was Fulani herdsmen but it was later discovered that the culprits are not in anyway Fulani people.
” The gospel song writer expressed the Biblical teaching that Christianity is not an easy way. The book of James made us understand that temptation is a process that we must encounter in our Christian race. So let us be ready for trials and temptations as we journey through our Christian lives,” he added.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Reverend Father Joseph Alphonsus Shinga, along with (ECWA Chairman North-East One) Reverend Isa Uba, and Gombe DCC Chairman, Rev Dr Adamu Dauda, also expressed their condolences and reminded the Christian community to view the incident as part of the challenges faced by believers. They emphasised that such tragedies were a reminder of the need to trust in God’s plan.
The CAN Chairman reassured the community that the state government shared in their grief and was committed to ensuring the arrest of the perpetrators. The DCC Chairman expressed gratitude for the prompt response of the government and security agencies following the tragic incident.
In his sermon, Reverend Zakari Dindima spoke on the theme “Death Is Inevitable,” referencing Hebrews 9:27, and reminded the congregation that death is an inevitable part of life. He highlighted that though God could have protected the late pastor, His will allowed his passing, which marked the end of his earthly journey. Reverend Dindima urged the community not to seek vengeance but to pray for the repentance of those behind this act.
The Representative of the Emir of Deba , Alh. Ahmed Usman, Mr Stephen Leka, District Head of Lubo, Alh.Moh’d Usman,Church representatives, friends, and family of the deceased, including his wife Mrs.Victoria Bala Galadima, all spoke highly of late Galadima’s commitment to his ministry, his love for humanity, caring and his level-headedness.
The deputy governor’s delegation included the representative of the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, a Director with the ministry, Ibrahim Kanku; the Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State; the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps; Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs Larai Maigari; Director of Administration and Finance, Deputy Governor’s Office, Ishaku Hamma; and Senior Special Assistants to the Deputy Governor, among others.
