Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of Yelwa, Gindin Akwati in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, has passed away. The late cleric became nationally and internationally known in June 2018, when armed attackers stormed communities in Barkin Ladi. He opened his mosque and home to shelter hundreds of Christians, reportedly saving almost 300 lives, and refused to hand them over despite threats to his own life. His act of bravery earned him widespread recognition, including the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award from the United States government. “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 legacy of service and peaceful coexistence.”

Source: Punch January 16, 2026 15:40 UTC