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Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, has passed away, sparking an outpouring of tributes across the state and beyond.
The late cleric rose to national and international prominence in June 2018 after armed attackers invaded several communities in Barkin Ladi. In a remarkable display of courage and humanity, Imam Abdullahi opened the doors of his mosque and personal residence to hundreds of fleeing Christians. Despite direct threats to his own life, he reportedly sheltered and protected nearly 300 people, refusing to hand them over to the attackers.
His selfless act earned widespread admiration and global recognition. In 2019, the United States government honoured him with the International Religious Freedom Award for his exceptional commitment to peace and interfaith harmony.
Mourning his death, the Plateau State Government, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, described the Imam’s passing as a profound loss.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang said Imam Abdullahi’s death was “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.” He noted that the cleric’s life was marked by an unwavering dedication to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable, especially women and children.
According to the statement, the governor lamented that the loss came at a time when the state greatly needed the Imam’s guidance, wisdom, and unifying influence.
“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 lasting legacy of service, courage, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.
