The Chief Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Abubakar Abdullahi, who gained national and international recognition for protecting hundreds of Christians during a deadly attack, has died at the age of 90.
Imam Abdullahi passed away on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos after a brief illness linked to age-related complications, family sources confirmed. News of his death has drawn widespread tributes from religious leaders, government officials and civil society groups, many of whom described him as a symbol of courage, humanity and peaceful coexistence.
The late cleric came into the national spotlight during the June 2018 violence in Barkin Ladi, when armed attackers invaded several communities, killing scores and forcing residents to flee. At the height of the crisis, Imam Abdullahi opened his mosque and personal residence to people escaping the violence, sheltering 262 Christians and protecting them from harm.
Survivors later recounted that when armed men arrived and demanded that those hiding inside the mosque be handed over, the imam stood firm and refused. He reportedly told the attackers that they would have to kill him first, a bold stance that forced them to withdraw and saved the lives of those under his protection.
His action was widely praised as a rare act of interfaith solidarity in a region often affected by communal and religious tensions. In the years that followed, Imam Abdullahi received several honours and commendations for promoting peace and protecting lives, while Christian and Muslim leaders repeatedly cited his conduct as an example of true religious leadership.
Residents of Barkin Ladi described him as a father figure who consistently preached tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect among different faiths. Many community members said his legacy would continue to inspire efforts toward unity and peaceful coexistence in Plateau State and beyond.
Imam Abubakar Abdullahi is survived by his children and grandchildren. He is expected to be buried in Nghar village in accordance with Islamic rites.
Abuja Network News
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