Ansaru Shares Video, Justifies Killing of Katsina Cleric Masussuka

Jama’at Ansar al-Muslimin fī Bilād Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, has dropped another propaganda video. They confirmed their role in the killing of Yahaya Masussuka, a well-known Islamic cleric who was murdered last month in his hometown of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The video, dated 22 Jumada Awwal (2 November), provides reasons for the killing based on their beliefs.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the cleric and his friend were shot dead on 26 October, right outside his home. A few hours later, Ansaru posted a video with still images, taking responsibility for the murder. The group claimed they killed the cleric because he disputed the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad and promoted interfaith harmony.

Many of Mr Masussuka's supporters rejected Ansaru’s claims. They pointed fingers at Izala, a Sunni Islamic group that includes some of the cleric's theological opponents.

The Izala movement has condemned the killing and denied any connection to it.

In the new video, a masked member of Ansaru repeated their reasons for killing Mr Masussuka. He said they refuse to rely on a Nigerian government they consider apostate for not acting against people who criticize the Prophet.

The nine-minute video showed clips of the group’s training and featured a masked man sitting in a bushy area. He explained why Ansaru killed Mr Masussuka.

Dressed in military camouflage and reading from an Android tablet, the man framed the killing as part of a long-standing religious fight against those who threaten Islam and its Prophet. He used theological arguments and historical examples to back up the group's actions.

He mentioned at least three cases from Islamic history, presenting them as examples for Ansaru’s actions.

One case he talked about was the execution of Ka’b al-Ashraf, a Jewish poet in Medina. Ka’b was known for insulting Muslims, targeting Muslim women with bad poetry, and encouraging the Quraysh of Mecca to attack the Prophet and his followers.

The speaker also referenced a quote from the Islamic scholar Ibn Qayyim to support another historical killing. This was meant to strengthen his argument that such actions could be seen as justified by their faith.

He also pointed to instances of mob violence in northern Nigeria against people accused of blasphemy, claiming these cases were similar to what Ansaru did to Mr Masussuka.

Ansaru has been blamed for many terror attacks in northern Nigeria. They previously labeled Mr Masussuka an infidel. PREMIUM TIMES noted that Mr Masussuka was known for his Quran-only beliefs, and many associated him with the "Quraniyun" sect.

In the new video, Ansaru dismissed Mr Masussuka as part of the "Kala-kato or Quraniyun" sect, saying that followers of this sect oppose interfaith harmony, even though Mr Masussuka often preached for peaceful coexistence.