Breaking: Tears, Grief as Imam Who Shielded 262 Christians During Attacks Dies
- Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, a hero who shielded 262 Christians, has passed away at 90 years old
- He died of heart complications, ten days after hospitalisation, leaving behind 19 children
- His bravery earned him the International Religious Freedom Award in 2019, and mourning spreads across Nigeria
Abubakar Abdullahi, the Imam of the Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who shielded 262 Christians in the area, has been declared dead.
The Imam's death was confirmed to journalists by his son, Saleh Abubakar, on Friday, January 16. According to the young Abubakar, the Imam died at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos, the state capital, on Thursday, January 15.
Source: Getty Images
How the Plateau cleric dies
According to the cleric's son, the religious leader died ten days after being admitted into the hospital. He was first diagnosed with a heart problem. He had gone for a check-up and returned. Since he was diagnosed with heart disease, his health has not been stable.
Daily Trust reported that the son disclosed that Imam Abubakar died at 90 and was survived by 19 children. 19 boys and seven girls.
Recall that in June 2018, Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, during faith-based communal clashes that happened in 10 villages in the Barkin Ladi LGA, hid 262 Christians in his house and a Mosque until the end of the conflict. He saved them from being attacked.
In 2019, he was honoured with the International Religious Freedom Award from the US Department of State, one of the several awards he received for his bravery. He has been scheduled for burial after the Jumma'at Prayer in Nghar village.
Nigerians mourn as popular Plateau cleric dies
The news of his death has started generating reactions from many Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
H A Haruna prayed for him for saving humanity:
"Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who risked everything to shield over 200 Christians, has passed on. A true symbol of humanity, compassion and interfaith brotherhood. May Allah forgive him, grant him Jannah and comfort his family."
Source: Original
Ahmed Kofa prayed for the deceased:
"May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him Aljanna Firdausi. When you save a life is as if you saved humanity. But he helped save plenty."
Paediatric Otaru praised and prayed for him:
"May the mercy of God be showered on him for the forgiveness of any of his shortcomings. The scripture says blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Ma'aji Umar prayed:
"May his soul rest in peace. A man with a big heart. That's what the religion stands for, and not terrorism. A rare person who could be replicated by all."
Olajide Balogun prayed for the deceased:
"May Allah forgive him and grant him paradise. Aameen."
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Tears as 3 APC chieftains die
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Kogi state government had announced the death of three prominent chieftains of the APC, with many Nigerians expressing condolences and some calling for clarity on the circumstances of their deaths.
This was attributed to Kingsley Fanwo, the state's commissioner for information and communication, who announced their deaths in a statement on Monday, January 12, not mentioning the circumstances of the leaders' demises.
Source: Legit.ng
