Gunmen kill Sheikh Masussuka in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the death of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka. He was shot by suspected gunmen outside his house in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area on Monday night.

DW Hausa reported that the police shared this information with its reporter. They stated that the attackers were on a motorcycle when they shot at the cleric.

The shooting happened around 9 p.m. near the entrance of his home.

Several local news outlets reported that another person was also shot during the attack. However, there were different reports about who this person was and whether he survived.

Pictures shared on social media showed residents gathered outside the cleric's home after the shooting. PREMIUM TIMES has not confirmed when or where these images were taken.

Details about the attack and the identities of the attackers are still unknown.

Abubakar Sadiq, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, responded to questions from journalists in a police WhatsApp group at 10:44 p.m. on Monday. He said he would get back to them soon.

He did not give more details to PREMIUM TIMES when this report was filed.

Mr Masussuka was an Islamic preacher based in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, but he originally came from Bauchi State. He was well-known for his teachings centered on the Quran, especially his rejection of some Hadith traditions. This often led to disagreements with other Islamic scholars. His sermons gained a lot of attention on social media.

In April 2024, he started Qur’an TV/Radio and Masussuka International School in Dutsin-Ma. The school aimed to provide both Qur’anic and regular education.

He also promoted peaceful living between Muslims and Christians. In June 2025, the Network for Good Governance and Transparency awarded him the Peace Ambassador award during an event in Katsina.

In November 2025, the Katsina State Government called him in after receiving complaints that some of his teachings went against Islamic principles.

The government also noted that Masussuka had reported receiving insults and threats from members of Jama’atu Izalatul Bidia.

The issue was taken to the Katsina Emirate Council, where both sides were invited to talk. Governor Dikko Radda later told the cleric to address the allegations before a group of Islamic scholars.

At this point, there is no evidence connecting the previous religious issues or the reported threats to Monday's killing.