Gunmen have killed prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka and his associate, Adamu Abubakar, in an attack outside the preacher’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 26, 2026, when two armed men riding on a motorcycle reportedly opened fire on the cleric and his associate before fleeing the scene.
Witnesses said the attackers struck while the Islamic scholar was outside his residence, although accounts differed on the exact time of the shooting.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the killings, saying both victims sustained fatal gunshot injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where a doctor pronounced them dead.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said, “The Katsina State Police Command regrets to confirm the tragic death of a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, following an attack by suspected armed gunmen.”
He added that the Divisional Police Officer in Dutsin-Ma led a team of operatives to the scene after receiving the report.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, has ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area. An investigation has commenced, and efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.
The police commissioner also extended condolences to the families, friends and followers of the deceased, assuring residents that the command would pursue the perpetrators.
Amnesty International condemns killing
The killing has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations and members of the public, with calls for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the attack, describing the killing as brutal and urging the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the brutal killing of renowned Islamic preacher Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, who was killed today by gunmen on motorbikes as he stepped out of his house in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, to go for his usual evening preaching,” the organisation said in a statement published on its Facebook page.
The organisation said Masussuka had consistently used his preaching to promote cooperation, peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue and understanding among Muslims.
“Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka had consistently used his preaching to promote cooperation, peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue and understanding among Muslim faithful. He was also notable for preaching against violent extremism and radicalisation,” Amnesty International said.
It further alleged that the late cleric had faced threats to his life and intimidation during his lifetime, calling for an immediate and effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Who was Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka?
Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka was a prominent Islamic preacher in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, known for his Qur’an-centred approach to Islamic interpretation, particularly Tafseerul Qur’ani bil Qur’an, which involves interpreting the Qur’an through other passages of the same scripture.
His public views and criticism of certain Hadith traditions attracted both support and controversy among Islamic scholars in northern Nigeria.
Masussuka operated Masussuka Media and was associated with the establishment of Qur’an TV and Radio, alongside junior and senior secondary schools offering both Western and Islamic education in Dutsin-Ma.
Beyond religious teachings, he spoke on social issues, including family planning as a means of addressing poverty and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
He was also reported to have received several Peace Ambassador awards for promoting peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue.
However, his interpretations of Islamic teachings generated disagreements with some Muslim scholars and organisations.
In late 2025, the Katsina State Government reportedly invited him to appear before a committee of Islamic scholars following complaints from some clerical groups that aspects of his teachings allegedly contradicted established Islamic principles.
The dispute prompted discussions about religious freedom, freedom of expression and the need to protect individuals from threats or violence arising from disagreements over religious beliefs.
Cleric’s associates call for investigation
Following the killing, some of Masussuka’s students and associates took to social media to express grief and call for calm, warning against reprisals and taking the law into their own hands.
In a video circulated online, a cleric identified as Sheikh Usman Dangungun, described as one of Masussuka’s associates, urged the government and security agencies to investigate the killing and identify those responsible.
Calls for calm have also featured prominently in messages from the late cleric’s followers, amid concerns that the killing could deepen existing tensions among religious groups.
However, the motive for the attack has not been established, and there is no confirmed evidence linking the killing to disagreements over the cleric’s religious teachings.
Notable assassinations of Islamic clerics
The killing of Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka adds to a history of attacks on Islamic scholars and religious leaders in northern Nigeria.
Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmoud Adam was shot dead in April 2007 while leading early morning prayers at Dorayi Central Mosque in Kano.
In March 2011, Imam Ibrahim Ahmed Abdullahi was reportedly assassinated in Maiduguri, Borno State, after speaking against Boko Haram’s extremist ideology.
In February 2014, Sheikh Adam Albani, a prominent Islamic scholar known for criticising Boko Haram, was shot dead alongside his wife and son in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Although the circumstances and motives behind these attacks differ, the killings highlight the security risks faced by religious leaders in parts of the country.
Family prepares for burial
A man identified as Zahraddeen Suraj Abbas, described as a relative of the deceased, said the family was making arrangements to take custody of the body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The killing has left followers and members of the community mourning the preacher, whose teachings attracted attention both for his advocacy of peaceful coexistence and for the controversies surrounding his religious interpretations.
As the family prepares for his burial, key questions surrounding the attack remain unanswered, including who carried it out and what motivated the gunmen.
Although Amnesty International alleged that the cleric had faced threats during his lifetime, it remains unclear whether those threats were connected to his killing.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had announced an investigation, while the identities of the perpetrators and the motive for the attack remained unknown.
Masussuka: Questions trail killing of Katsina Islamic scholar as details of incident emerge