New Telegraph-Admin 
The compelling power of the exhibition of who we really are either as humanists or life-wasters-always presents itself at the heated moment of crisis.
As fate would have it such played out on that historic day of June 23, 2018 when, Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the then Chief Imam of Akwatti Mosque in Nghar, a community in Barkin Ladi local Government Area of the embattled Plateau State, graciously opened his doors to save the precious lives of 262 defenceless Beroms – mostly Christians.
That was while they were running to escape the terrifying onslaught of armed Fulani herders. As the cleric explained through a media report, while promptly coming to their aid.
“I first took the women to my personal house to hide them. Then I took the men to the mosque.” When the attackers heard that the villagers had fled towards the mosque, they demanded that the imam bring out those he was hiding. But he refused. Furthermore, along with some others concerned citizens in the Muslim community, he began to wail, asking them to leave. And to their amazement the herders did leave.
Though over 80 villagers in the 10 Berom communities under the attack were sent to their early graves Abdullahi’s gallantry stood out. By doing so, his life-saving efforts, even at the risk of his own life raises some fundamental questions on what religion truly means to us as human beings.
That is more so, currently as millions of the citizens are caught in the eye of a terrorised country, Nigeria. Painfully, it has been designated by the US government as a “Country of Particular Concern,” as well as that of “targeted killings” flaring flames of debranding which the current administration is doing all it can to quell.
According to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the death of the imam is a “monumental loss” to the community. His “life was distinguished by an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable, particularly women and children,” he said in a condolence message. Notably, in 2022 Abdullahi was given a national honour by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, who commended his bravery.
The first of that of course, is to understand the incontestable fact that we, as Christians, Muslims or traditionalists, worship the same creator, God
Three years earlier, thenUS Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, gave the imam the International Religious Freedom Award. Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) honoured him.
All these are well deserved for the apt display of humanism. Born on January 1, 1936, he died of heart condition on January 15, 2026 at the ripe age of 90 years leaving fellow citizens with the lasting lessons we all, as individuals, communities and country should glean from his life trajectory.
The first of that of course, is to understand the incontestable fact that we, as Christians, Muslims or traditionalists, worship the same creator, God. Believed as all-powerful, all-wise, allmerciful and allprotective, the binding philosophy of religion is therefore, deeply rooted in the expression of love for fellow human beings, as much as we do for ourselves. With that peace, unity, justice and equity would be guaranteed as Abdullahi epitomised while alive as a patriotic Nigerian.
One of the issues for the Plateau State and the federal governments to frontally tackle is finding a lasting solution to the longdrawn battle between the Beroms, the indigenes who are mostly Christians and the Fulani herders, who are predominantly Muslims. A land-grabbing agenda has been alleged for years, while another is the perceived underneath agenda for the sponsors of the crises to control the mineral-rich state.
Unfortunately, those at the receiving end of the frequent fracas between the two sides are the innocent people. For instance, in September 2001 a federal political appointment caused chaos amongst them, leading to 1,000 deaths and mass displacement of people. It has been so disheartening that given the seemingly intractable crises farmers could not access their fertile farmlands.
The government must therefore, rise to its statutory function of the protection of human lives as well expressed in Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. No effort should be spared to do away with the nauseating notion to make some people believe that one ethnic group or religion is superior to another.
That precisely is what the life-protecting efforts of Abdullahi should teach us all and there should be an annual event to bring Christians and Muslims together, across the country; to preach religious tolerance to honour him. We need it now, more than ever before.
