Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, a local Islamic cleric that recently hit the news for saving 300 Christians from an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen, has explained his reasons for doing so.
Recall that the 83-year-old Imam of Nghar village in Gashish District in Plateau State was widely hailed after he hid some would-be victims of herdsmen violence in his mosque.
The Herald had reported how the Imam saved hundreds of lives in an attack that claimed more than 200.
Read Also: Muslim Man Hides Christians Inside Mosque During Plateau Killing
But explaining the rationale for his action in an interview with The Punch, the octogenarian, who is originally from Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, said, “Prophet Mohammed worked with many people with different backgrounds. He preached to Christians, pagans and idol worshippers. He had a cordial and peaceful relationship with everybody regardless of their religion.”
According to him, “On that very day, the shooting started in Yelwa , about two kilometres away from our own village called Xland. Around 3 : 30 pm , after the afternoon prayer, the people ran towards the mosque. Most of the people who trooped into the mosque are Christians. I accommodated them inside the mosque. We gave them cover.”
Speaking on the attackers’ reaction, Abdullahi said, They came in their large numbers and started shooting indiscriminately in every direction. Whoever they see, they shoot at sight. I gambled with my life , because there was every tendency for them to attack me. I was threatened , and my life was in danger, I even fell down because of the confusion. But because they saw that I am an old man, they left me and went elsewhere.”
Asked for his advice on how to end herdsmen-farmers clashes in the Middle Belt, the Islamic cleric said, “I advocate absolute peace globally; we should also be our brothers ’ keepers . What you don’ t like, don’ t do it to other persons. Religion is between individuals and God . Nobody has any certificate to go to heaven . Nobody is licensed to take the life of another person . We should learn to value human lives, don’ t tamper with my life , I won ’ t tamper with your life . Whether Christian , Muslim , pagan , Berom, Fulani , Yoruba or Igbo , let us value human lives first . If you value human life , you won ’ t have the mind to kill somebody.”