...remembered as a beacon of peace, interfaith harmony
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village, Barkin Ladi local Government Area of Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, known for heroically saving dozens of Christians from being attacked by suspected Fulani militia, is remembered as an icon of peace and integrity.
The late Muslim cleric, who died at the ripe age of 90, after a brief illness, rose to prominence following his extraordinary act of courage on June 23, 2018, when armed assailants attacked several communities in Barkin Ladi LGA, leaving dozens dead.
Amid the chaos, Abubakar opened the doors of his mosque and home to at least 300 Christians fleeing the violence, refusing to hand them over to the attackers.
In one of his interviews, he explained why he stood his ground and saved those innocent lives, thus, “I did it because we are all human beings. My religion teaches me to protect lives, regardless of faith.”
His selfless act earned him both national and international recognition for his bravery. The Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (OON), and he was personally commended by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
He was subsequently recognised by the LEADERSHIP Media Group, who also named him as joint winner of its prestigious annual Person of the Year Award alongside business mogul, Aliko Dangote.
In 2019, the United States government also presented him with the International Religious Freedom Award, describing him as “a beacon of peace and interfaith harmony” for risking his life to save others.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sorrow at the passing of the Islamic cleric, describing him as a hero.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on 16 January 2026, and made available to Newsmen, the President noted that the late Imam Abubakar became famous for saving dozens of Christians in 2018, during an attack that ravaged Plateau State.
President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection. His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.
“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.
“I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar,” the President said while asking God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Also, the Executive Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has described the late cleric as “a symbol of peace, unity and selfless leadership,” whose inputs and presence are most needed at the crucial time for the sustainability of peace and harmony through interfaith and religious tolerance.
In a condolence message signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere and issued on Thursday, 15 January 2016, Mutfwang said Imam Abubakar’s commitment to interfaith harmony and protection of the vulnerable earned him the respect of Nigerians and the global community.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, described the death of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi as a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.
He commended the late cleric for his tireless advocacy for interfaith harmony, building bridges of forgiveness, compassion and empathy among diverse communities across the state and beyond.
The Governor further noted that the revered community leader dedicated his life to the advancement, development and well-being of his people, and that his sudden passing leaves a significant void in the leadership of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Mutfwang prayed to God to raise leaders of integrity and wisdom to continue with the legacy exemplified by the late Imam.
The Governor pointed out that the loss came at a time when the state greatly needed the guidance, wisdom and unifying presence of the Imam.
He urged the immediate family and the entire 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.
“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Plateau State, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and all those mourning the loss of Imam Abubakar. I pray that Almighty God grants them comfort and strength to bear the painful loss,” he stated.
One of the survivors that the late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi hid, Mrs Tabita David from Kura Falls in Gashish district, commended the cleric for saving her life and that of her family during the 2018 Barkin Ladi attack.
The National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youths Moulder (BYN), Rwang Tengwong, described the death of Imam Abubakar as a huge loss to the troubled Barkin-Ladi, which needed his type most, considering his relentless efforts to ensure peace, particularly in the community, Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.
“The Imam saved the lives […] in 2018 when armed bandits invaded more than ten Berom communities simultaneously. We pray to God that our society continues to have more people like Imam Abdullahi in our communities, people who see everyone as their own, irrespective of religion, tribe, or political affiliation,” the National Publicity Secretary stated.
The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Yusuf Babayo, equally expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate development.
He described the death of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar as painful and a significant loss to the Muslim Ummah.
“It is difficult to get a leader like Imam Abdullahi. He was an elder statesman whose valuable contribution to peace in the state will be greatly missed.
“He did not discriminate and treated everybody as his own, irrespective of religious differences. The vacuum created by his death cannot be filled by anyone in the state,” Babayo stated.
One of the sons of the deceased, Saleh Abubakar, confirmed that their father died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, 10 days after he was admitted and was buried immediately after the Jumma’at Prayer at Nghar village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
Saleh appealed to the Deputy Imam of the locality to continue with the legacy of their father by upholding humanity and working tirelessly for the peaceful coexistence of the area, which he said consists of Hausa, Fulani, Berom and other ethnic nationalities in the area, which was a mining hub for decades by the British.
Late Imam Abubakar was also a herder who lived as an icon of peace and integrity in the Nghar community of Barkin-Ladi for decades, died leaving behind 19 children, 12 boys and 7 girls respectively.
