Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of Yelwa and Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has died.
In June 2018, armed terrorists raided Barkin Ladi LGA, making the late cleric well-known both nationally and internationally.
He opened his mosque and home to hundreds of Christians, allegedly saving about 300 lives, and refused to hand them up despite threats to his own life.
His bravery garnered him significant acclaim, including the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award from the US government.
On Friday, the Plateau State Government issued a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, mourning the late Imam.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang described Imam Abdullahi’s death as “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.”
According to the governor’s statement, the Imam’s life was marked by “unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”
The statement added, “Governor Mutfwang observed that the loss comes at a time when the state greatly needed the guidance, wisdom, and unifying presence of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi.
“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.”
