By: Aremu Toyeebaht
Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has died, the state government announced on Friday.
The late cleric gained national and international recognition in June 2018, when armed attackers stormed Barkin Ladi communities. Imam Abdullahi opened his mosque and home to shelter hundreds of Christians, reportedly saving nearly 300 lives, refusing to hand them over despite threats to his own life.
His courage earned him global recognition, including the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award from the United States government.
In a statement, Governor Caleb Mutfwang described Imam Abdullahi’s death as “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.” The governor praised the cleric’s life as one of “unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”
The statement added, “The loss comes at a time when the state greatly needed the guidance, wisdom, and unifying presence of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi. His life of faith, compassion, and fairness leaves a lasting legacy of service and peaceful coexistence.”
Imam Abdullahi is remembered as a symbol of courage and interfaith solidarity, whose actions during the 2018 crisis remain a testament to his dedication to protecting the vulnerable and fostering peace.
