The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the killing of prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka and his associate, Adamu Abubakar, by unidentified gunmen in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area. Police have launched an investigation and deployed tactical personnel to track down those responsible for the attack.
The killings occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, outside the cleric's residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. According to the police, two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on Masussuka and Abubakar, inflicting fatal gunshot injuries before fleeing the scene.
The command's spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the Divisional Police Officer in Dutsin-Ma mobilised officers to the location after receiving information about the shooting.
Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency medical attention but were pronounced dead by a doctor. The police did not disclose whether the attackers had been identified or whether investigators had established a motive for the killings.
Following the incident, Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to intensify the search for the fleeing gunmen. The command said investigations had commenced and that officers were working to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Fage expressed condolences to the families, friends and followers of the deceased, as well as residents of Dutsin-Ma. He assured the community that the command would pursue those responsible and provide further information as the investigation progressed.
The killings have also drawn condemnation from Amnesty International, which described Masussuka as a religious figure known for promoting peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue and opposition to violent extremism.
The human rights organisation drew attention to threats and intimidation reportedly experienced by the cleric before his death. Its intervention has renewed questions about his safety and whether earlier complaints were adequately addressed.
Masussuka was known for his Qur'an-centred approach to Islamic teaching, particularly his interpretation of the Qur'an through other passages of the scripture. His religious views attracted followers but also generated disagreements with other Islamic scholars.
Although based in Dutsin-Ma, the cleric was originally from Bauchi State. His teachings and public discussions gained attention beyond Katsina, particularly through religious broadcasts and social media.
In April 2024, he established Qur'an TV/Radio and Masussuka International School in Dutsin-Ma. The school was intended to combine Qur'anic instruction with conventional education, reflecting his involvement in both religious teaching and educational activities.
His public profile also included advocacy for peaceful relations between religious communities. In June 2025, the Network for Good Governance and Transparency honoured him with a Peace Ambassador award at an event in Katsina.
However, Masussuka's interpretation of Islamic teachings remained controversial among some religious groups. His criticism of certain Hadith traditions contributed to disagreements with scholars who rejected his approach.
In November 2025, the Katsina State Government summoned the cleric following complaints concerning his teachings. The government also acknowledged receiving complaints from Masussuka that individuals associated with Jama'atu Izalatul Bidia had insulted him and threatened to attack him.
Those earlier disagreements provide relevant background to concerns about the cleric's safety. They do not, however, establish that any person or organisation involved in the religious disputes was responsible for Monday's killings.
Police have not publicly identified the assailants or linked the attack to the cleric's religious positions. The motive therefore remains unknown, and any suggestion that the shooting resulted from doctrinal disagreements would require evidence from investigators.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda also condemned the killings and called for a thorough investigation. He described Masussuka as a religious leader who promoted peaceful coexistence and understanding between communities.
The governor expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and urged residents to remain calm while security agencies investigated the incident.
“Those behind this heinous act must be brought to justice,” Radda said, calling on the authorities to identify the perpetrators and ensure that they face appropriate legal proceedings.
He also appealed for public cooperation, encouraging anyone with credible information about the attack to assist investigators.
The governor's statement reflected concern about the death of a prominent religious figure whose teachings had attracted both public recognition and controversy. His appeal for calm was accompanied by an assurance that the authorities would pursue accountability.
Accounts of the exact time of the shooting have differed. While the police placed the incident at approximately 7:30 p.m., some initial reports suggested that it occurred later in the evening.
The police account also clarified an important detail missing from the earliest reports: Masussuka was not the only person killed. His associate, Adamu Abubakar, also sustained fatal injuries during the attack.
The identification of both victims and the announcement of a formal investigation provide a clearer account of the incident than the preliminary reports circulated shortly after the shooting.
Nevertheless, important questions remain unanswered. Investigators have yet to establish why the victims were targeted, whether the attackers had previously threatened either man or whether the shooting was connected to any earlier dispute.
There has also been no confirmed announcement of an arrest in connection with the killings.
The Katsina State Police Command has urged members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with investigators. It said efforts to locate the gunmen would continue as officers examined the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The deaths of Masussuka and Abubakar have brought renewed attention to the security of religious figures and other residents in communities affected by armed violence.
For the bereaved families, the immediate demand is for the identification and prosecution of those responsible. For investigators, the central task remains establishing the evidence behind the shooting without attributing responsibility to individuals or groups before the facts are determined.
Police say the investigation is continuing, while state authorities have promised to pursue justice for both victims.
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