Sheikh Masussuka Buried Amid Tears,Crowd In Kastina

Thousands of mourners, including Islamic scholars, religious leaders and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria were in Katsina metropolis yesterday for the burial of renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, who was killed by gunmen on Monday.

The funeral prayer held at the Emir of Katsina’s palace shortly after the Juma’at prayer attracted a crowd of the Muslim faithful who came to pay their last respects to the late cleric.

The prayer was led by the Imam of Muhammadu Dikko Central Mosque at about 2:59 p.m., amid a large gathering of mourners, many of whom struggled to get close to the ambulance conveying the remains.

The atmosphere became highly emotional as thousands of mourners chanted, “Allahu Akbar! Masussuka is not dead, his virtues live on! Shame on his enemies!” as the ambulance conveying his remains entered the cemetery.

Some followers wept openly, while others struggled to touch the ambulance, chanting in solidarity with the late scholar and expressing their determination to sustain his religious teachings and legacy.

The chants echoed through the streets as the procession moved slowly towards the burial ground, with security personnel and members of the Yan Agaji volunteer group struggling to control the crowd.

Due to the massive turnout, the body of the deceased remained inside the ambulance throughout the funeral prayer before being conveyed to the Abbatuwa Cemetery for burial.

The procession to the cemetery lasted several hours as mourners crowded the streets, with many forcing their way through the gathering to witness the event.

Security personnel and members of the Yan Agaji volunteer group made sustained efforts to control the crowd and maintain order throughout the funeral procession.

Imam Abdulrasheed Masussuka, a student and son-in-law of the late scholar, who is widely regarded as a possible successor, led the procession conveying his remains to the cemetery.

The deceased was reportedly buried close to his associate, Adam Abubakar Nasarawa, a native of Doma local government area who was killed alongside him.

Among prominent personalities at the funeral were the Secretary to the Katsina State government, Bar Garba Faskari, representatives of the Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya and Shi’a Islamic groups, as well as other religious leaders and Muslim faithful.

International Islamic personalities and followers from Ghana, Niger Republic and Chad were also among those who attended the funeral.

Earlier in the morning, vehicles conveying mourners, Islamic scholars, relatives and well-wishers from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries had begun arriving at the Emir’s palace, resulting in heavy human and vehicular movement around the area.

The huge turnout created difficulties for security personnel managing the procession, as mourners struggled to gain access to the burial ground.

Sheikh Masussuka and his associate, Adam Abubakar, were shot dead by yet unidentified gunmen at the entrance to the cleric’s residence in Katsina on Monday.

The killing sparked widespread condemnation among religious leaders, government officials and residents who described the death as a major loss to the Muslim community.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the killing, directing security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Similarly, Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Radda, condemned the killing, describing the late scholar as a voice for peace and interfaith harmony.

The governor assured residents that the government would work with security agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice, while urging the public to remain calm.