Abdullahi Abubakar, the respected Muslim cleric who earned national and international acclaim for protecting Christians during the 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, passed away on Friday, marking the end of a life widely celebrated for courage, compassion and interfaith solidarity.
The late cleric rose to global prominence on June 23, 2018, when armed attackers stormed several communities in Barkin Ladi, leaving scores of residents dead. As violence spread, Abubakar opened his mosque and personal residence to those fleeing the chaos, offering refuge to hundreds of people, most of them Christians.
Reports indicate that he sheltered and hid at least 300 Christians inside the mosque and refused to surrender them to assailants who demanded they be handed over. He remained resolute until calm was restored in the area.
His extraordinary act of humanity drew widespread praise both within Nigeria and abroad. In recognition of his bravery, the Federal Government nominated him for the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), while former President Muhammadu Buhari publicly commended him for his courage. In 2019, the United States Government also honoured him with the International Religious Freedom Award, citing his willingness to risk his life to save others.
In several interviews after the incident, Abubakar maintained that saving lives was a moral duty that transcended religious boundaries, stressing that his actions were driven by compassion and respect for human dignity.
Reacting to his death, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the late imam as a symbol of peace, unity and selfless leadership. In a condolence message, the governor said Abubakar’s dedication to interfaith harmony and protection of the vulnerable earned him admiration and recognition across the world.
Governor Mutfwang noted that the cleric’s passing is a significant loss to his family, Barkin Ladi community and Plateau State as a whole, adding that his leadership helped foster forgiveness and peaceful coexistence in a region often affected by communal tensions.
He urged residents to uphold the values of compassion, unity and tolerance exemplified by the late imam, while praying that God grants his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Abubakar’s death marks the passing of a rare moral voice and a lasting symbol of humanity in the face of violence.