LEGENDARY: Plateau Imam Who Sheltered Over 200 Christians During 2018 Attacks Dies at 92
Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, has passed away.
The late cleric rose to national and international prominence in June 2018 after armed assailants attacked several communities in Barkin Ladi. In a remarkable act of courage, he opened his mosque and residence to shelter hundreds of Christians, reportedly saving nearly 300 lives. He stood his ground and refused to surrender those under his protection, despite threats to his own life.
His bravery earned widespread acclaim, including the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States government.
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The Plateau State Government, in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, described the Imam’s death as a profound loss.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the passing of Imam Abdullahi was “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large,” noting that the cleric’s life was marked by “an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”
According to the statement, the governor observed that the loss came at a time when the state “greatly needed the guidance, wisdom, and unifying presence” of the late Imam.
He urged the bereaved family and the wider community to find comfort in the legacy of faith, compassion, and peaceful coexistence that Imam Abdullahi leaves behind.
By PRNigeria
