President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the death of Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the chief imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Imam Abdullahi died on Thursday at the age of 92.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president said the cleric would be remembered for his role during the 2018 communal violence in Plateau State, when he sheltered Christians fleeing attacks.
The president said Abdullahi gained national and international attention after he hid more than 200 Christians during the crisis.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” Tinubu said.
He said the cleric chose to protect lives despite the risks involved.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection,” the president added.
Tinubu urged religious and community leaders to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, drawing lessons from the life of the late imam.
“May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his deeds,” he said.
Imam Abdullahi came to public attention in June 2018 after armed attackers invaded communities in Barkin Ladi and surrounding areas.
During the attacks, he opened his mosque and residence to people seeking safety and refused demands by assailants to hand them over.
At the height of the violence, he sheltered about 300 Christians and mobilised local youths to 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.
Details of burial arrangements had not been announced as of the time of filing this report.
