Boko Haram kills pastor sleeping in his bed, 2 other Christians in Nigeria

Suspected militants of Islamic extremist group Boko Haram killed a pastor at his dwelling in Gombe state, Nigeria on Sunday, as violence continued to terrorize the nation’s northeast, sources stated.

The Rev. Bala Galadima of the Evangelical Church Successful All was shot to demise at about 1 a.m. on Sunday in Lubo, in response to members of the native ECWA congregation.

They stated gunmen wearing black robes broke into his residence on the premises of the ECWA church in Lubo, Yamaltu-Deba County and shot him level black within the again whereas he was in mattress.

Congregation members stated the terrorists entered the city capturing into the air to discourage anybody from trying to cease them. First arriving at a home they mistakenly believed to be that of Pastor Galadima, they requested for instructions to his dwelling, demanding cash at gunpoint from these informing them earlier than happening to the ECWA property.

“Our hearts are heavy, as we’re left alone in a sophisticated world with the killing of our pastor, Rev. Bala Galadima,” stated church member to Lami Sabo. “His braveness, recommendation, teachings and generosity will probably be extremely missed by us his church members.”

The pastor’s demise deeply affected the church, she stated.

“We members of ECWA Church Lubo will actually miss him,” Sabo stated. “It’s very exhausting for us to say goodbye to our normal within the Lord, Rev. Bala Galadima.”

Buhari Abdullahi of the Gombe State Police Command stated in a press release that officers arrived on the church premises after the assailants had escaped.

“Gombe State Commissioner of Police Bello Yahaya visited the hospital the place the physique of the deceased pastor was taken to and has deployed a particular squad of police personnel to the world,” Abdullahi stated. “We now have coordinated a particular operation, and we’re assured that the culprits can be arrested.”

Chibok assaults 

In neighboring Borno state, Boko Haram militants once more attacked in Chibok County in January, killing no less than two Christians, injuring two others and burning down 5 church buildings and 74 homes, residents stated.

Meantime, the Nigerian authorities on Jan. 30 let out 5,000 Boko Haram terrorists captured in army operations in Borno state, stating that that they had been de-radicalized and had repented. On the identical day, Boko Haram militants attacked Kauthlama village in Chibok County, burning down a Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) constructing, stated space resident Paul Mauntah.

“It is a report a few distressing incident that occurred on 30 January, 2025, at 11:46 a.m., in Kauthlama B.,” Mauntah stated. “Sadly, a church and several other retailers had been burnt down, and livestock, together with cows, goats, and sheep, had been taken away by Boko Haram terrorists.”

Regardless of repeated requires assist, officers appeared unresponsive, he stated.

“The individuals of Chibok LGA are in dire want of help and safety,” Mauntah stated. “The continuing insecurity has precipitated immense struggling, and it’s crucial that our leaders take concrete steps to handle the basis causes of the battle and supply ample help to these affected.”

On Jan. 16, Boko Haram militants attacked Yimirmugza village in Chibok County, the place they burned down an EYN church constructing, stated space resident James Ayuba.

“Some members of the Islamic sect known as Boko Haram attacked the village and burned down an EYN church, homes and retailers,” Ayuba informed Christian Day by day Worldwide-Morning Star Information in a textual content message.

Space resident Moses Hameed confirmed the assault, saying the militants additionally struck Chibok County villages of Bamzir, Njilang and Shikarkir.

Hameed stated gunmen attacked predominantly Christian Zillang village on Jan. 13,from11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. the subsequent day.

Bamzir resident Iliya Dauda stated his village was attacked on Jan. 12 at about 2 a.m., with Boko Haram terrorists destroying an EYN church constructing and killing two members of the church.

“Throughout the assault, two brothers, Enoch Pogu Pudza and Josiah Pogu Pudza, who’re each members of EYN church, had been killed by the terrorists,” Dauda stated. “The church worship constructing of EYN locally was burned down by the terrorists.”

A Christian lady, Esther Yohanna, was shot and wounded by the terrorists, whereas dozens of homes had been destroyed, he stated.

Mustapha Madu, chairman of the Chibok Native Authorities Council, confirmed the assaults as carried out by “Boko Haram terrorists.”

“We’re at the moment wanting into methods the victims might be assisted,” he stated.

Amos Dauda, an EYN member, stated it was disheartening that whereas Christians are underneath fixed assaults from Boko Haram terrorists, a few of these terrorists had been being launched on claims that they had been de-radicalized.

“The repeated claims by authorities officers and safety businesses that Boko Haram has been weakened in southern Borno areas are being contradicted by the current devastating assaults in Bamjir, Shikarkir Njilang and Yimirmugza in Chibok Native Authorities Space,” Dauda stated.

The assaults over the course of two weeks resulted in vital lack of lives and properties, leaving the affected communities in despair, he stated.

“The aftermath of those assaults has left the individuals in an insufferable scenario,” Dauda stated. “Church buildings, homes and meals shops have been burnt to ashes, leaving many with out shelter, meals, or a spot to worship. The survivors at the moment are dealing with excessive hardship, struggling to entry primary requirements like meals.”

The federal government should present rapid humanitarian help to alleviate the struggling of harmless individuals and help them in rebuilding their lives, he stated.

An announcement issued by a Borno state official stated that current assaults in Chibok resulted within the killing of 5 individuals, two others injured, and the destruction of 5 church buildings and 74 homes. Usman Tar, Borno state commissioner for data and inside safety, stated in a press assertion that market stalls and properties value tens of millions of naira had been destroyed in the course of the assaults on Bamzir, Njilang, Shikarkir and Yimirmugza villages.

Nigeria remained among the many most harmful locations on earth for Christians, in response to Open Doorways’ 2025 World Watch Checklist of the nations the place it’s most diffiucult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for his or her religion worldwide in the course of the reporting interval, 3,100 (69%) had been in Nigeria, in response to the WWL.

“The measure of anti-Christian violence within the nation is already on the most doable underneath World Watch Checklist methodology,” the report acknowledged.

Within the nation’s North-Central zone, the place Christians are extra widespread than they’re within the North-East and North-West, Islamic extremist Fulani militia assault farming communities, killing many lots of, Christians above all, in response to the report. Jihadist teams akin to Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), amongst others, are additionally lively within the nation’s northern states, the place federal authorities management is scant and Christians and their communities proceed to be the targets of raids, sexual violence and roadblock killings, in response to the report. Abductions for ransom have elevated significantly in recent times.

The violence has unfold to southern states, and a brand new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged within the northwest, armed with superior weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL famous. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist Al-Qaeda insurgency Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali.

Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL listing of the 50 worst nations for Christians.

This text was initially printed by Christian Day by day Interiational-Morning Star Information.