The Christain Association of Nigeria has honored a late Muslim cleric in Plateau State who sheltered and rescued more than 200 Christians during violent attacks in the area.
CAN leaders said the imam, who died recently, risked his life to protect Christian residents when gunmen attacked his community, hiding them in his home and mosque and helping them escape further violence.
Speaking at a memorial event in Jos, CAN officials described the cleric’s actions as a rare example of courage, selflessness and interfaith harmony, noting that he stood against hatred at a time of deep ethnic and religious tensions.
The association said the recognition was meant to encourage peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among Nigerians of different faiths, especially in regions affected by recurring communal violence.
Plateau State has witnessed repeated clashes over land, ethnicity and religion, with hundreds killed in recent years. CAN urged political and traditional leaders to draw lessons from the imam’s actions and promote dialogue as a pathway to lasting peace.
