A controversial Islamic cleric was murdered outside his residence in the northern Nigerian state of Katsina on Monday evening. Yahaya Masussuka, 47, was shot by two assailants on a motorcycle while saying goodbye to visitors in the town of Dutsin‑Ma.
Both the preacher and one of his guests were rushed to a nearby hospital, but the attending doctor pronounced them dead. Police said the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Masussuka had previously received death threats on social media for his videos that challenged certain mainstream Islamic beliefs, particularly the concept that the dead are questioned by angels in the grave. The cleric had also been jailed for nine months after mocking respected scholars over their adherence to these teachings.
He was known for promoting interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians, earning a Peace Ambassador Award from Nigeria’s Network for Good Governance and Transparency last year.
Six other prominent Muslim preachers have been killed in northern Nigeria over the past two decades, some targeted by the extremist group Boko Haram for criticizing the insurgency that began in 2009.
Authorities have not yet identified the attackers or confirmed a link to any extremist organization. The incident adds to the ongoing security concerns in the region, where ethnic and religious violence has claimed thousands of lives in the last 25 years.
Investigations are underway to determine the motive and whether the attack was politically or ideologically motivated. The case has drawn international attention to the dangers faced by religious leaders who challenge prevailing narratives.
