Imam Abubakar Abdullahi of Nghar village, celebrated for protecting 262 Christians during 2018 communal violence in Plateau State, has died at 90 after battling heart disease. Burial holds today after Juma’at prayers
Hero Imam Who Sheltered 262 Christians During Deadly Attacks Dies at 90
Plateau State and Nigeria have lost a beacon of interfaith courage and humanity: Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the revered chief imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, who famously risked his life to shelter 262 Christians in his mosque and home during violent communal clashes in June 2018, has passed away.
His son, Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the sad news to Daily Trust on Friday, January 16, 2026, revealing that the 90-year-old cleric died on Thursday night, January 15, at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
According to Saleh, his father “died ten days after he was admitted” in the hospital.
“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 is survived by 19 children—12 sons and seven daughters.
His act of bravery in 2018 came amid faith-based violence that engulfed 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, claiming numerous lives. As attackers targeted communities, the imam opened his mosque and residence to protect 262 predominantly Christian residents from the Birom ethnic group, shielding them until calm returned and saving them from almost certain death.
The heroic gesture earned him global acclaim, including the prestigious International Religious Freedom Award from the United States Department of State in 2019.
The late imam will be laid to rest today, Friday, January 16, 2026, in Nghar village immediately after Juma’at prayers.
His legacy of compassion across religious divides continues to inspire unity and peace in a region long plagued by communal tensions. Read More
