“Who is a man of God?’ is a critical question often asked when clergy men and clerics are caught on the wrong side of morals and teachings of their respective scriptures and are made to stand before their supposed sheep to recieve judgement over their breach of God’s commandments.
Many years before 2018 when an unfortunate communal clash between Berom and Fulani punctured the peace of Plateau State, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, was not known more than being the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
But on June 23, 2018 when 10 Berom villages fell under heavy attacks of Fulani warriors, he provided shelter to fleeing christain, about 262, inside his mosque and residence, consequently saving their lives. This act did not go down well with the attacking forces. They turned their fury at him with a view to forcing him releasing the helpless christains for the blood-thirsty sword impatiently waiting outside. But, the then 84-year-old stood his ground. He refused to give in to their noise and intimidation. He suffered. He endured. He recalled, I was threatened, and my life was in danger. I even fell down because of the confusion. But because they saw I am an old man, they left me and went elsewhere.”
While defending his action, he spoke of his blindness to religious sentiment in favour of humanity, saying the God he served did not teach him to turn a blind eye to non-Muslims caught in a danger zone and desperately in need of his assistance.
“I did it because we are all human beings. My religion teaches me to protect lives, regardless of faith,” he explained in an interview.
His star shone and stardom located him in his rustic village where the prestigious CNN crew was his guest and recorded him during an interview in which he gave a vivid account of the incident and his role in preventing Christains from the death chasing them.
Abubakar’s rare act may have inspired some instances of harmonious relationship between Christain community and their Muslim counterpart to the delight of the nation.
During the End-Bad-Governance protest in Jos in August 2024, Christians were said to have created a space for their fellow protesting Muslims to observe their obligatory prayers.
Two months earlier, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru was at Muslims Prayer ground held at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, Kaduna State where he preached love, unity and respect for one another’s faith, acknowledging that Muslims of different sects had also joined him during chrismas celebration during which they shared the festive mood.
The Pastor admonished, “We must remember we are one family under God, worshipping the same God. Both the Quran and the Bible are holy books sent from one God. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve and must live in peace and harmony, regardless of our differences.”
Also touched by his heroic act, late President Muhammadu Buhari confered on him Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). The US similarly honoured him with 2019 Religious Freedom Award.
In the same year, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) also honoured him.
On his transition, the Christains Association of Nigeria (CAN) described Abubakar as an extra-ordinary leader who, in addition, was a symbol of courage. In a statement issued by its President Arcbishop Daniel Okoh, the religious body said the late cleric’s 2018 unprecedented gesture also attested to his selflessness and godliness worthy of emulation regardless of religious affiliation.
“The late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi will be remembered for his rare moral bravery and selflessness at a time of grave danger. By chosing to protect innocent lives at great personal risk, he saved 262 Christains during a violent massacre in 2018 standing firmly on the side of humanity when it mattered most. His actions transcended religious boundaries and powerfully affirmed that the sanctity of human life is sacred above else,” the statement read in part.
President Bola Tinubu too wasted no time in sending his condolences to the bereaved family of the nonagenarian wherein he described him as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.
Tinubu added, “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.”
He further remarked, “Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection. His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be.
“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.
“I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar. May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage.”
But Mr Suyi Ayodele, a the Nigerian Tribune columnist, is not carried away by Tinubu’s song of praise on the grave of Abubakar. In his January 20, 2026 Tuesday Flat Out, he expressed his aversion at government’s traditional remarks and lip service to the legacy left behind by the departed in the class of Abubakar.
Although he recognised the president’s prompt honour through Mr Bayo Onanuga’s statement, Ayodele told Tinubu to “walk the talk by showing that level of ‘benevolence’ displayed by Imam Abubakar. The President should have pity on the hapless citizens who suffer daily under the weight of the traumatic economic policies of his administration.
“He should save Nigerians from imminent deaths from hunger and starvation the way Imam Abubakar rescued those 262 Nigerians from the jaws of death. That is humanity; that is kindness.”
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