Ansaru Claims Killing Of Katsina Cleric Masussuka

The Ansaru militant group has claimed responsibility for the killing of Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka in Katsina State, accusing him of being an infidel.

The group, which is linked to al-Qaeda, made the claim in an audio message released on Tuesday, saying it carried out the attack at about 8:30 p.m.

However, the speaker’s reference to Tuesday as the day of the attack appeared to be an error, as the killing was reported to have occurred on Monday.

In the audio message, Ansaru accused Masussuka of opposing Islam but did not provide specific evidence to support the allegation.

The message suggested that the cleric’s advocacy for interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence may have contributed to his targeting, although the group did not explicitly establish this as the reason for the killing.

Masussuka and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, were reportedly shot dead by two armed men riding a motorcycle outside the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Katsina State Police Command had confirmed the killings, saying both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Police said investigations had commenced and efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators.

Ansaru broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 following disagreements with the group’s then leader, Abubakar Shekau. The group has since operated mainly in north-western Nigeria, including Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states.

The cleric’s killing has raised concerns about the safety of religious leaders and advocates of peaceful coexistence in the region.

The claims in the audio message have not been independently verified, and the police had yet to publicly confirm Ansaru’s involvement in the attack.