Imam Abdullahi Abubakar is dead, saves over 200 Christians

File photo: Imam Abdullahi Abubakar

Earned national and international recognition for his act.

Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of courage and interfaith solidarity.

The late cleric became widely known in June 2018, when armed attackers stormed communities in Barkin Ladi.

During the violence, he opened his mosque and home to shelter 262 Christians, refusing to hand them over despite threats to his own life.

His brave act earned him national and international recognition, including the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award from the United States government.

In a statement on Friday, the Plateau State Government, signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, mourned the loss of the Imam.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described Imam Abdullahi’s death as “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.” He added that the Imam’s life was marked by “unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”

The governor urged the community to take solace in the knowledge that the late Imam lived a life of faith, compassion, and fairness, leaving behind a legacy of service and peaceful coexistence.