Abubakar Abdullahi, a Muslim cleric who sheltered hundreds of Christians during the 2018 communal violence in Plateau State, has died.
He was 92.
Family and community sources said Mr Abdullahi, the chief imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, died on Thursday.
The cleric came to public attention in June 2018 after armed assailants attacked communities in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring areas.
During the violence, he opened his mosque and home to people fleeing the attacks.
At the peak of the crisis, Abdullahi sheltered about 300 Christians and refused demands by attackers to hand them over.
He also mobilised local youths to help guard those taking refuge.
His actions drew reactions from political leaders, religious groups and civil society organisations within and outside Nigeria.
In 2019, the United States government honoured him with the International Religious Freedom Award.
The Nigerian government also announced plans to recognise his intervention.
The Plateau State Government confirmed his death in a statement signed on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in the statement, described Imam Abubakar Abdullahi’s death as “a monumental loss to his immediate family, his community, and Plateau State at large.”
According to the statement, the governor said the cleric’s life was marked by “unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children.”
The statement added that the governor noted that the loss came at a time the state needed the guidance and presence of the cleric and urged the family and community to take comfort in what he described as a life of service and peaceful coexistence.
Details of burial arrangements had not been announced as of the time of filing this report.
