Masussuka Not Dead, Followers Chant At Katsina Burial

Thousands of grieving followers of slain Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, on Friday flooded the streets of Katsina, chanting “Masussuka is not dead, his virtues are still alive; shame on his enemies” as his remains were taken for burial.

The emotional chants of “Allahu Akbar” echoed through the crowd as mourners struggled to catch a final glimpse of the cleric, with some weeping openly and others reaching out to touch the ambulance conveying his remains.

The funeral prayer was conducted at the Emir of Katsina’s Palace shortly after the Friday congregational prayer, with the Imam of Muhammadu Dikko Central Mosque leading the rites at about 2:59 p.m. The massive turnout made it difficult to move the ambulance through the crowd, prolonging the procession to the cemetery for several hours.

Imam Rasheed Masussuka, a student and son-in-law of the deceased, led the procession conveying his remains to Abbatuwa Cemetery in Katsina metropolis, where he was buried close to his associate, Adam Abubakar Nasarawa, who was killed alongside him.

Security personnel and members of the Yan Agaji volunteer group made efforts to control the crowd and maintain order as mourners pressed forward to witness the final rites.

Among those present were the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, representatives of the Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya and Shi’a Islamic groups, and Islamic personalities from Ghana, Niger Republic and Chad.