Abubakar, the chief imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, earned national and international acclaim after he opened his mosque and home to hundreds of people fleeing violence by armed men.
Abdullahi Abubakar, the Muslim cleric renowned for protecting Christians during the deadly 2018 attacks in Plateau State, has died at the age of 92.
Abubakar, the chief imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, earned national and international acclaim after he opened his mosque and home to hundreds of people fleeing violence by armed men.
He famously sheltered at least 262 Christians in his mosque, refusing to hand them over to assailants seeking to harm them.
The attack occurred on June 23, 2018, when suspected bandits targeted communities across Barkin Ladi, killing scores of residents. As panicked residents fled, Abubakar provided refuge to those who sought his protection, keeping them safe until calm returned.
His courageous actions earned him widespread recognition. He was nominated for the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by the federal government and received a handshake from the late President Muhammadu Buhari in appreciation of his bravery.
In 2019, the United States awarded him the International Religious Freedom Award, with the US Department of State citing his “courage in risking his life to save others.”
In interviews following the attacks, Abubakar said he acted out of compassion and respect for humanity, emphasizing that saving lives was a principle he upheld regardless of religion.
His death marks the loss of a man widely regarded as a symbol of interfaith solidarity in a region often troubled by communal violence.
Reacting to the news, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the late cleric as “a symbol of peace, unity and selfless leadership.”
In a condolence statement, the governor said, “Abubakar’s commitment to interfaith harmony and protection of the vulnerable earned him national and international recognition. His passing is a major loss to his family, community, and the state. His leadership helped build bridges of forgiveness and peaceful coexistence across Plateau.”
Mutfwang added that the cleric’s death left a significant void in Barkin Ladi LGA, urging residents to uphold the values of compassion and unity that he represented.
“On behalf of his family, the government, and the people of Plateau State, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and all those mourning the loss, praying that Almighty God grants them comfort and strength to bear this painful loss,” the governor’s statement concluded.