Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected gunmen have killed a clergyman in Adamawa State, invading his residence in the early hours of the morning before shooting him at close range. The attack happened on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, in Zinai village, a rural community in the Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The victim has been identified as Reverend Emmanuel Ezeokwe, the Vicar of St Mary’s Anglican Church in the Diocese of Yola.
The gunmen, reportedly numbering six, targeted the vicarage, which is the official residence of the church vicar. The attackers stormed the community around 12:48 am and made their way to the church premises. After locating Reverend Ezeokwe, they shot him at close range, killing him instantly.
The tragic incident was confirmed by Venerable Andrew Izuakor, the Administrative Officer to the Bishop of the Yola Diocese, the Right Reverend Markus Ibrahim. The church administrator called on the Christian community and the public to pray for the immediate family of the deceased, the congregation of St Mary’s Church, and the entire diocese during this tragic moment.
The Adamawa State Police Command has since launched a full-scale investigation into the killing. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, that the command received a distress report from a member of the community, one Amos Sunday, in the early hours of the incident.
According to the police, officers were swiftly deployed to the scene where they found the lifeless body of the clergyman. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary investigations by the police have led to the recovery of three empty shells of an AK-47 rifle, which were found at the scene of the crime. The discovery of the high-calibre weapon shells suggests the attackers were heavily armed.
The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, CP Kabir Umar Hassan, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident. Tactical teams have also been deployed to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
In a statement, the police command urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement by providing any useful information that may aid the ongoing investigation.
The killing of Reverend Ezeokwe has sent shockwaves through the religious community in Adamawa State and across the country. It adds to a growing list of attacks on religious leaders and worshippers in northern Nigeria, where rural communities have faced persistent threats from armed groups.
In recent months, the region has witnessed a spate of violence, including mass abductions of worshippers, attacks on church premises, and targeted killings of clergy. Church leaders have repeatedly called for greater protection for religious communities and swift action to bring perpetrators to justice.
As the investigation continues, the Anglican Diocese of Yola has asked for prayers and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible for the murder are apprehended and prosecuted. The family of the deceased and the congregation of St Mary’s Church remain in mourning, as the community grapples with the loss of a spiritual leader taken in the most brutal manner.
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