In brief
In a brutal attack outside his home in Katsina, Yahaya Masussuka, a 47‑year‑old Islamic cleric, was shot dead along with a visitor. The assailants, riding a motorcycle, entered the town of Dutsin‑Ma in the early evening and opened fire. Masussuka had faced death threats after he released videos rejecting certain hadith teachings about the soul’s questioning after death. The preacher, who once served a nine‑month jail term for mocking scholars, had also been an outspoken critic of Boko Haram and a pro‑interfaith dialogue advocate. His murder follows the killing of six other prominent Muslim leaders in the region over the past twenty years, many tied to extremist confrontations.
A controversial Islamic cleric in Nigeria was shot dead outside his home in the northern state of Katsina.
Two assailants on a motorcycle fired shots at Yahaya Masussuka and a guest in Dutsin‑Ma as the preacher said goodbye to visitors.
Both were rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead.
Masussuka had received death threats after posting videos that rejected certain hadith teachings about the soul’s questioning after death.
He was 47, had begun preaching at 13, earned degrees at Al‑Azhar in Egypt and studied further in Oman.
The cleric was outspoken against extremist groups, promoted inter‑faith dialogue and advocated peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
Over the past two decades, six other prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered in northern Nigeria, some by Boko Haram for criticizing the insurgent group.
Last year, Nigeria’s Network for Good Governance and Transparency honoured Masussuka with a Peace Ambassador Award, underscoring his commitment to peace.
