Nigeria has lost a powerful symbol of interfaith compassion and humanity with the passing of Chief Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the revered Muslim cleric who risked his life to protect Christians during the deadly communal attacks in Plateau State in 2018.
The Chief Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area died on Thursday night, January 15, 2026, at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos after battling a heart condition. He was 92. His son, Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the news, noting that the cleric had been admitted about ten days earlier and his health had been unstable since an initial diagnosis.
Imam Abubakar rose to national and international fame on June 23, 2018, when armed assailants launched coordinated attacks across several communities in Barkin Ladi, claiming numerous lives amid escalating tensions.
In the midst of the chaos, he opened the doors of his mosque and home, sheltering at least 262 to over 300 fleeing Christians—refusing to hand them over despite the danger. He even mobilized local youths to stand guard until the violence subsided."I did it because we are all human beings," he later explained in interviews. "My religion teaches me to protect lives, regardless of faith." His selfless act, driven by deep compassion and respect for humanity, earned him widespread acclaim, including the International Religious Freedom Award from the United States in 2019 and personal commendation from then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the late imam as "a symbol of peace, unity, and selfless leadership," whose commitment to interfaith harmony and protecting the vulnerable helped build bridges of forgiveness across the state. "His passing is a major loss to his family, community, and Plateau," the governor said in a condolence message, urging residents to uphold the values of compassion and tolerance that defined Abubakar's life.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also mourned the cleric, calling him a "distinguished patriot" whose bravery affirmed shared humanity and inspired hope for peaceful coexistence.
Survived by 19 children and many grandchildren, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar leaves behind a lasting legacy as a beacon of unity in a region often scarred by division. His burial was scheduled for Friday in Nghar village following Juma'at prayers.
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