In brief
Yahaya Masussuka, a 47‑year‑old Islamic cleric known for his videos critiquing elements of mainstream Islam, was murdered outside his house in Dutsin‑Ma, Katsina state. Two motorcycle riders fired at him while he was greeting visitors, killing Masussuka and a guest. Masussuka had repeatedly received death threats over his outspoken stance, and his death follows a string of murders of Muslim leaders over the past two decades. The incident adds to the volatile climate of religious and ideological clashes in northern Nigeria.
A controversial Islamic cleric, Yahaya Masussuka, was shot dead outside his home in the northern Katsina state of Nigeria on Monday evening. Two assailants riding a motorcycle fired several rounds at Masussuka, as he was saying goodbye to visitors, and the preacher was killed on the spot together with one of his guests.
Masussuka was a 47‑year‑old preacher who had become known for his videos in which he rejected certain traditional Islamic beliefs, including the idea that souls are revived by angels after death. His bold stance had earned him repeated death threats on social media and brought him into conflict with conservative scholars.
The senior police officer said both men were rushed to the nearest hospital but were pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though observers point to Masussuka’s outspoken criticism of religion and political issues as possible reasons for the assault.
Masussuka had been awarded a peace prize by Nigeria’s Network for Good Governance and Transparency for his promotion of inter‑faith dialogue and his advocacy against violent extremism. The cleric’s death follows a disturbing pattern of targeted killings of prominent Muslim leaders in northern Nigeria, some of which were carried out by Boko Haram in retaliation for criticism against the insurgent group.
According to reports, Masussuka had been imprisoned for nine months after he publicly ridiculed respected scholars for their devotion to certain hadith traditions. With a family that includes two wives and seven children, his death has shocked the local community and raised alarm among religious leaders worldwide.
Related Topics
- Nigeria
- Islamism
- Violence
