By Rasheed Abubakar
Late Sheikh Abdullahi Abubakar, who risked his life to shield 262 Christians during the communal clashes that engulfed ten villages in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, in 2018, was one of the many victims of Nigerian media underreporting of Muslim achievers.
Stories of courage and heroism by Muslims are often ignored and hidden from public view simply because they are Muslims. But, when negative events involve anyone with a Muslim name, the Nigerian media instantly gives them exaggerated coverage. Imam Abubakar’s story was a stark example of this bias.
Muslim News Nigeria can confirm that it took weeks before mainstream media started featuring Imam Abubakar, following outcry from Nigerian Muslims who have long raised concerns about media prejudice against Islam and Muslims.
For instance, the incident occurred in June 2018 during the Plateau crisis but was not reported until September, and even then it barely made newspaper covers. More striking, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) did not issue any official recognition for the man who saved her members until September 2021, during its Sapphire Day Award of Excellence and Dinner, marking the organization’s 45th anniversary. This was three years after the attacks, yet the news again received minimal media attention.
Muslim News Shines a Spotlight
Muslim News Nigeria was among the few media outlets to highlight Imam Abubakar’s extraordinary heroism. In September 2018, the newspaper, then barely two months old, published a special edition titled:
“The Unsung Hero: Imam Abdullahi Abubakar”
* The 85 year old Muslim cleric who saved over 300 Christians during the Plateau attacks
* How he rescued and sheltered them inside his mosque
* The real reasons why CAN and other Christian bodies delayed celebrating him
This was Muslim News Nigeria’s second print edition, following its maiden (August 2018) edition dedicated to Firdaus Amasa’s hijab victory at the Nigerian Law School, another achievement that was largely ignored by the mainstream media. Both events were significant triumphs for the Muslim Ummah, yet they went largely uncelebrated by the Nigerian media because they’re not “bad news”.
Voices from Muslim Leadership
In response to the media silence, leading Muslim organizations and prominent Muslim leaders, including the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulRahman Ahmad, condemned the underreporting, describing it as “unfortunate.”
He explained: “Humanity and the man’s faith do not make the news in Nigerian media because it is not bad news. Bad news spreads faster than good news. Events like this, where a Muslim saves lives without discriminating by religion or ethnicity, definitely will not make cover headlines.”
Following these criticisms, several media organizations started reporting the story more consistently. Imam Abubakar was later honoured by NGOs and international organizations, including the United States, for his heroism, an act deeply rooted in Islamic principles yet largely ignored by critics and the hypocritical media.
Faith in Action
Imam Abubakar’s courage and compassion were a living embodiment of the Qur’an’s teaching: “Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he has killed all of mankind; and whoever saves a soul, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32)
In the face of danger, he opened his mosque and his heart to hundreds of people, saving lives without regard to their faith, ethnicity, or background. His actions were pure, selfless, and guided by unwavering faith. Yet, because it did not fit the prevailing biased narrative, his heroism was initially ignored by many Nigerian media outlets.
A Call for Muslim Media Investment
Even today, the news of his death did not grace the cover of major Nigerian newspapers except a few. This omission, although unfortunate, highlights the urgent need for Nigerian Muslims, especially the wealthy and influential, to invest in media, create platforms that celebrate Muslim heroes, and support existing outlets committed to fair reporting, including Muslim News Nigeria.
Imam Abubakar’s Heroism Earns Him Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year Recognition
The extraordinary heroism of Imam Abubakar earned him a place among the finalists of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year Award in 2018. He was nominated alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, in recognition of his selfless act, with the hope that Nigerians, especially preachers of hate speech, would emulate his example of excellence.
While Imam Abubakar could have been named the overall winner, the Sultan’s influence in promoting unity and combating extremism extends widely across the Muslim world, beyond Nigeria.
At that time, the Sultan was among 126 scholars and leaders from various countries who boldly signed a 22-page letter addressed to the leader of the Takfiri group, Al-Baghdadi. The letter denounced the nefarious activities of the group and all its affiliates, including Boko Haram.
This act exemplifies the Sultan’s enduring commitment to promoting unity, cautioning against hate speech, and opposing extremism – values for which he continues to be respected today.
May Allah forgive Sheikh Abubakar Abdullahi, reward his courage as well as selflessness and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
His story remains a powerful testament to faith, humanity, and heroism that transcends religion.
* Rasheed Abubakar writes for Muslim News Nigeria. Email: rawshield123@gmail.com
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