When news first emerged about Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the elderly cleric from Yelwa Gindi village in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, it was not for his sermons or community leadership, but for an act of extraordinary humanity that touched hearts across Nigeria and beyond.
In June 2018, when unrest broke out in parts of Barkin Ladi, frightened residents fled their homes in search of safety. Among them were hundreds of Christians who ran towards the village mosque, desperate for refuge. Waiting there was Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, then 83 years old, whose first instinct was not to question who they were, but to protect them.
He opened both the mosque and his own house to shelter more than 262 people, many of them women and children. When armed men later arrived and demanded that he surrender those taking refuge, the Imam refused. Calm and resolute, he stood before them and declared that everyone under his protection was a human being deserving of safety. His unwavering stand persuaded the attackers to leave, and all who had sought shelter survived unharmed.
News of his bravery spread quickly, turning a quiet village Imam into a symbol of moral courage and unity. His decision to act selflessly in the face of danger became a reference point for interfaith harmony in Nigeria, a country where diverse communities have long learned to coexist.
In recognition of his extraordinary act, the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2021 conferred on Imam Abdullahi Abubakar a National Honour Award, praising his compassion, courage, and dedication to peace. Religious and community leaders across the country, both Christian and Muslim, hailed his action as a reflection of the highest principles of faith. They described him as a man who lived his beliefs not only in prayer but in the defence of others.
International organisations and diplomatic missions also commended him, describing his actions as a model of peacebuilding and moral leadership. They recognised him as a figure whose selfless courage inspired global admiration and offered an enduring example of what interfaith solidarity should look like.
Within his community, Imam Abdullahi continues to be seen as a guardian of peace and compassion. Locals in Barkin Ladi speak of his humility and quiet strength, recalling how his bravery brought calm at a time of uncertainty. Many residents believe his action deepened trust among Christians and Muslims in the area, fostering a stronger sense of brotherhood and mutual respect.
Despite the national and international recognition, the Imam remains deeply humble. Those who know him say he continues to lead prayers, teach tolerance, and preach love and forgiveness. “We are all children of one God,” he has often reminded his followers, a simple message that continues to resonate beyond his small community.
Years later, the story of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar endures as a timeless reminder that courage and compassion can unite where fear divides. His refusal to see difference in a moment of danger restored faith in what humanity can be at its best. In the face of threat, he chose peace; in the shadow of violence, he chose love. And in doing so, he gave Nigeria and the world a powerful lesson in what it means to truly live one’s faith.
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