The Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, Abubakar Abdullahi, who provided security cover for 262 Christians in the area, has passed away.
He was aged 90.
A son of the Imam, Saleh Abubakar, announced his father’s death on Friday, saying the Imam died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.
Saleh said his father “died ten days after he was admitted. He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.”
Imam Abubakar died leaving behind 19 children including 12 boys and 7 girls.
It would be recalled that the Imam had in June 2018 amidst deadly inter religious communal clashes involving 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, provided security cover for by hiding 262 Christians in a mosque and in his house until the conflict ended.
Imam Abdullahi saved them from being massacred.
Following this commendable feat, the late Imam was given several awards for his bravery, including the International Religious Freedom Award from the US Department of State in 2019.
Late Abubakar would be buried today after Jumma’at prayers in Nghar village.
