Nigerian Imam Who Saved 262 Christians During Deadly Attack.
In one of the most remarkable stories of courage and interfaith solidarity in Nigeria, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, a Muslim cleric from Plateau State, risked his own life to save 262 Christians during a deadly attack in 2018.
The incident took place on June 23, 2018, in communities around Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where violence claimed dozens of lives. As attackers descended on the community, terrified residents fled for safety.
Among those running for their lives were Christian villagers who found refuge in the mosque led by Imam Abubakar.
He opened his mosque to Christians
Rather than turning people away because of their religion, Imam Abubakar opened the doors of his mosque and his adjoining home to those fleeing the violence.
According to accounts of the incident, 262 Christians were sheltered inside the mosque and the Imam’s home. The elderly cleric then confronted the attackers and pleaded with them not to enter the building.
His decision was extraordinarily dangerous. The attackers could have killed him along with the people he was protecting. Yet he reportedly told them that the people inside were under his protection and even offered his own life in exchange for theirs.
The attack nevertheless resulted in significant loss of life, with reports stating that 84 people were killed in Nghar village. But the Imam’s intervention prevented an even greater tragedy and saved hundreds of people.
A powerful example of religious tolerance
What makes Imam Abubakar’s story particularly significant is that the people he protected were Christians while he was a Muslim religious leader.
The Imam later explained that the relationship between Muslims and Christians in the community went back decades. The land on which his mosque was built had been provided by members of the Christian community, and he had lived in the area for many years.
His actions demonstrated that humanity can rise above religious differences, particularly during moments of crisis.
International recognition
Imam Abubakar’s bravery attracted international attention. In July 2019, he received the International Religious Freedom Award from the United States government in recognition of his efforts to protect members of another religious community.
He was also honoured in Nigeria, including recognition by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which later described him as a symbol of courage, compassion and shared humanity.
His legacy lives on
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar died in January 2026, but his story continues to resonate in Nigeria. Following his death, CAN paid tribute to him, describing his decision to protect 262 Christians as an extraordinary act of moral courage and selflessness.
His story is more than a story about one Muslim protecting Christians. It is a reminder that religious identity should never prevent people from defending innocent lives.
At a time when religious and ethnic divisions have contributed to violence in parts of Nigeria, Imam Abubakar’s actions provide a powerful example of what interfaith solidarity can look like: when people are in danger, humanity comes first.
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar may have been a Muslim cleric, but on that fateful day in Plateau State, he became a protector for 262 Christians—and a symbol of courage for Nigerians across religious lines.
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