Gunmen kill Islamic cleric, associate in Katsina

Gunmen attacked and killed a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, and his associate in Dutsin-Ma, a local government area of Katsina State, on Monday evening. The assailants opened fire on the two men at the entrance of the cleric's residence around 9 pm. Both victims were taken to the Dutsin-Ma Hospital for urgent medical care but succumbed to their injuries.

The incident has devastated the community, especially Masussuka's followers and residents who knew him. The identities of the attackers and the motive behind the killing remain unknown as of the time of this report. The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of the cleric and his associate, but the police have not yet released any information about the circumstances of the attack or announced any arrests.

The late cleric had recently planned to organize a religious gathering in Katsina State. He had previously faced controversy over his religious teachings, with a committee of Islamic scholars scheduled to question him on November 18, 2025. However, it is currently unclear if this earlier controversy is linked to the recent killings.