‘A national hero and living proof of Islamic compassion’: MPAC
‘A moral compass and true face of Islam’: Ex Minister Pantami
Thousands of mourners on Friday converged on Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State for the burial of Chief Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the renowned Muslim scholar whose extraordinary courage during the 2018 Plateau crisis earned him national and international acclaim.
The 92-year-old Islamic scholar, celebrated for sheltering hundreds of Christians at the height of sectarian violence, was laid to rest on January 16, 2026, after Juma’ah prayers, in accordance with Islamic rites at Yelwa, Gindin Akwati, his home community.
Imam Abubakar’s death, after a brief illness, has drawn tributes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, northern governors, Muslim organisations and prominent scholars, all hailing him as a symbol of peace, interfaith harmony and the sanctity of human life. 
Tinubu: ‘He chose humanity over division’
President Bola Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader who “stood firmly on the side of peace” at a time when violence and intolerance threatened communal coexistence.
In a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President recalled how Imam Abubakar risked his own life in 2018 to protect more than 200 Christians fleeing attacks in Barkin Ladi.
“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.
“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.”
The President noted that the Imam’s actions went beyond sermons, embodying the true essence of faith and earning him local and international honours for peaceful coexistence.
He urged religious and community leaders across the country to emulate the late cleric’s spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and unity. 
Northern governors: ‘An embodiment of peace and courage’
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) also mourned the Imam, describing him as a beacon of moral leadership whose life projected Northern Nigeria as a land of compassion and shared humanity.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Isma’ila Uba Misilli, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said Imam Abubakar’s actions during the 2018 crisis transcended religious and ethnic boundaries.
“Sheikh Abdullahi Abubakar was an embodiment of peace, courage and selfless leadership,” Yahaya said.
“By sheltering about 200 Christians in his mosque and personal residence, he demonstrated that the protection of human life is paramount and sacred.”
The NSGF chairman extended condolences to the Imam’s family, the Plateau State Government and both Muslim and Christian communities, praying for Allah to grant the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus.
MPAC: ‘A national hero and living proof of Islamic compassion’
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, described the late Imam as a national hero and a living testament to Islam’s highest moral values.
In a statement, MPAC said Imam Abubakar’s decision to shelter over 300 Christians during the 2018 violence was “faith in action” and a direct expression of Islam’s emphasis on mercy, justice and the sanctity of life.
“At a moment when fear ruled the land, Imam Abubakar chose faith over fear and conscience over convenience,” the organisation said.
MPAC recalled honouring the Muslim scholar with its Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2019, with its Executive Chairman, Alhaji Disu Kamor, noting that such an act was rooted in the rich moral traditions of Islam.
The group urged religious leaders, educators, policymakers and the media to preserve and propagate the Imam’s legacy as a timeless model of peaceful coexistence and nation-building.
‘A moral compass and true face of Islam’: Pantami
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, described the late Imam as “a moral compass” and a living embodiment of the true teachings of Islam.
In a personally signed tribute, Prof Pantami said Imam Abubakar’s action during the Barkin Ladi crisis remains one of the most profound demonstrations of faith-driven courage in contemporary history.
“At a time when fear and violence threatened to consume reason, the late Imam chose compassion over hatred and conscience over cowardice,” Prof Pantami said.
He stressed that the imam’s insistence on the sanctity of human life reflected the Qur’anic principle that saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity, adding that history would remember him as a global symbol of peace and interfaith harmony.
A legacy that transcends faith
Imam Abubakar rose to global prominence after the 2018 Plateau attacks, when he opened his mosque and home to Christians fleeing violence, protecting them at great personal risk.
His action earned him several honours, including the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award and the United States International Religious Freedom Award. He also emerged one of the finalists of the Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2018.
As he was laid to rest amid prayers and tears, many mourners said his life remains a powerful reminder that faith, when rightly understood, is a force for unity rather than division.
For many Nigerians, Imam Abubakar’s legacy endures as proof that courage, compassion and humanity can prevail even in the darkest moments.
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