Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has expressed profound grief over the death of the Imam of Gindin Akwati, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, a revered cleric whose selfless act of courage saved the lives of 262 Christians during a deadly attack in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in 2018.
The respected religious leader died on Thursday15th January 2026 night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, at the age of 90.
The late Imam rose to national and international prominence in June 2018 when suspected armed Fulani militias launched coordinated attacks on 10 villages in Barkin Ladi. 
At the height of the violence, Imam Abdullahi opened the doors of his mosque and personal residence, sheltering 262 Christians and protecting them until security operatives restored calm to the area.
His heroic intervention not only prevented a potential massacre but also stood as a powerful symbol of interfaith unity and humanity in the face of violence.
In a condolence message issued on Friday 16th and made available to journalists in Jos, Governor Mutfwang described the late cleric as a man of uncommon purpose, whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable, especially women and children.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, said Imam Abdullahi’s exemplary leadership and courage in safeguarding lives earned him admiration and recognition far beyond Plateau State.
He noted that the cleric’s selfless service and consistent advocacy for interfaith harmony helped build bridges of forgiveness, compassion, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities across the state and beyond.
Governor Mutfwang described the Imam’s death as a monumental loss to his immediate family, the Gindin Akwati community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, and Plateau State as a whole, stressing that his passing leaves a significant leadership vacuum in the area.
According to the Governor, the late Imam dedicated his life to the advancement, development, and well-being of his people, adding that his demise comes at a time when Plateau State greatly needs voices of wisdom, guidance, and unity.
He prayed that God would raise leaders of integrity, courage, and wisdom to sustain the legacy of peace and selflessness exemplified by the late cleric.
The Governor urged the bereaved family and the entire community to take comfort in the knowledge that Imam Abdullahi lived a life of faith, compassion, fairness, and service to humanity, leaving behind a lasting legacy of peaceful coexistence.
On behalf of his family, the Plateau State Government, and the people of the state, Governor Mutfwang extended his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and all those mourning his passing, praying that Almighty God grants them strength and comfort to bear the loss.
The late Imam is survived by 19 children, comprising 12 sons and seven daughters, according to his son, Saleh Abubakar.
His heroic action during the 2018 crisis earned him widespread acclaim, including the prestigious International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019, as well as recognition at the presidential level in Nigeria.
Imam Abubakar Abdullahi will be laid to rest on Friday 16th in Nghar village after the Juma’at prayers.
