In a poignant loss for peace advocates worldwide, the revered Nigerian cleric who bravely protected hundreds during ethnic tensions has left an enduring legacy of unity.
Abubakar Abdullahi, the spiritual leader from Nghar village in Plateau State’s Barkin Ladi region, succumbed to health complications late Thursday evening.
His passing occurred at Jos’s Plateau Specialist Hospital, where he had been receiving care for over a week.
Family members revealed that the 90-year-old had battled ongoing cardiac issues, which gradually weakened his condition despite regular medical visits.
“His heart troubles started weighing him down, but he remained a pillar of strength for us all,” shared his son Saleh Abubakar in an emotional statement.
The imam leaves behind a large family, including a dozen sons and seven daughters, who remember him as a beacon of compassion.
Back in mid-2018, amid fierce interfaith conflicts ravaging multiple communities in Barkin Ladi, Abdullahi opened his doors to those in peril.
He provided safe haven to 262 individuals from a different faith inside his place of worship and home, averting what could have been a tragic massacre.
This act of heroism not only preserved lives but also symbolized hope in divided times, inspiring calls for harmony across Nigeria.
“We owe our survival to his fearless kindness; he taught us that faith can bridge any divide,” reflected a survivor from the incident.
For his extraordinary bravery, the U.S. government honored him with a prestigious global award for promoting religious tolerance in 2019.
Today, communities gather in Nghar to bid farewell, with final rites planned following afternoon congregational services.
Abdullahi’s story continues to resonate, highlighting how one person’s courage can foster lasting peace amid Nigeria’s communal challenges.