April 30, 2012
A story that began with great promise came to a tragic end May 1 when Adebowale Ajagunna, better known as “Debo,” was shot and killed by gunmen during a prayer meeting in the city of Ikare-Akoko in southwestern Nigeria.
In 2006, Debo was awarded a scholarship by the Nigerian government to study in a PhD program at the University of Crete. While in Crete, Debo worshiped with John Adesoye and became a WEI student. After he was baptized, he became actively involved in the church. He was known as “a faithful and joyful Christian man” and “a vibrant worship leader.”
After receiving his PhD, Debo returned to Nigeria to be with his family. On April 30, he and other members of the church in Ikare-Akoko were praying for an upcoming evangelistic campaign when armed gunmen burst into the room. While trying to protect a pregnant woman from gunfire, Debo was shot in the head. The mother and unborn baby escaped injury, but Debo lay in a pool of his own blood for more than an hour. He finally died at 2:00 a.m. in a local hospital.
According to an article in The Christian Chronicle, Debo is being praised by local Christians as “a good shepherd who died at his duty post guarding his sheep.”
Debo has gone to be with his Lord. May God bless his memory.
