World

Islamic Cleric Yahaya Masussuka Killed in Katsina Attack

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

Yahaya Masussuka, a 47‑year‑old Islamic cleric, was shot dead outside his home in Dutsin‑Ma, Katsina state, northern Nigeria, on Monday evening. Two assailants on a motorcycle fired at Masussuka while he was saying goodbye to visitors. He and one of his guests were taken to hospital but both were pronounced dead by the attending doctor, police said. The motive for the attack is unclear, though Masussuka had received death threats on social media for videos in which he rejected certain elements of mainstream Islam, including the belief that the dead are questioned by angels in the grave. Masussuka’s teachings were based mainly on the Qur’an and he questioned some hadiths. He had been jailed for nine months after teasing respected scholars over their belief in the hadith. He had two wives and seven children, began preaching at age 13, studied at Al‑Azhar University in Egypt and later in Oman, and recorded videos at his home studio for social media. Masussuka was outspoken against violent extremism, radicalisation and advocated interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. For his efforts he received a Peace Ambassador Award from Nigeria’s Network for Good Governance and Transparency last year. Over the past two decades, six other prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered in northern Nigeria, several by Boko Haram for criticising the jihadist group that began its insurgency in 2009. Boko Haram, founded in north‑eastern Nigeria, opposes Western culture, education, the secular government and seeks to establish an Islamic state.