Masussuka: Life, preaching, death

From Abdullahi Izma Yamadi, Ibrahim Musa Giginyu, Katsina & Dalhatu Liman, Abuja

The murder of Katsina-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, has stirred emotions and sparked conversations around the life and times of a popular preacher seen through different lenses.

To his army of followers, he embodied peace, dignity and tolerance for religious differences. To his critics, he was a controversial scholar whose religious ideology and preaching were questionable.

Masussuka was shot dead alongside his associate, Adamu Abubakar, on Monday evening in front of his house at Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, in an attack claimed by the extremist group, Ansaru.

Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The 47-year-old cleric subscribed to and preached Quranic teachings, but, to greater extent, disregarded Hadith, the sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – a stance that placed him at variance with his critics.

He alleged that a lot of Hadiths being attributed to the Prophet were not from him, saying they were concocted by some people out of mischief.

Masussuka reportedly began preaching at the tender age of 13 and rose to prominence with the advent of social media, through which he established himself as one of the most vocal clerics among the Qur’aniyun Islamic sect.

Through his active social media platforms, his preaching gained more recognition, increasingly attracting attention from other sects with different ideologies. Masussuka’s increased visibility drew controversies around his ideology.

One major controversy surrounding Masussuka’s teachings and ideology revolved around his rejection of certain Hadith traditions as authorities and forms of religious practice.

According to other sects, his doctrine that only the Qur’an serves as the gateway to religious practice goes contrary to a larger belief that both the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet are central sources of Islamic guidance. Disagreements over his ideology became more pronounced and his teachings were challenged on several occasions.

Though disagreement on the interpretation and authority of Hadith has long existed among Muslim scholars, Masussuka’s unique stance on the matter placed him at odds with scholars who considered his teachings inconsistent with established Islamic traditions.

Amid growing scrutiny of his preaching, the Katsina State Government, on November 18, 2025, announced that Masussuka would be required to defend his teachings before a committee of Islamic scholars established based on the several calls.

The meeting, however, didn’t see the light of day due to undisclosed circumstances, as he continued to challenge other sects that go against his ideologies.

Sources close to the late cleric revealed that his doctrine attracted several death threats, but he didn’t take them seriously as he restrained his followers from reacting.

His killing has left many questions amid renewed concern over the safety of clerics across the northern region.

Masussuka’s murder was not the first in the North. Over the years, prominent Islamic clerics like late Sheikh Umaru Dan Me Shiyya, Sheikh Jafar Mahmud Adam and Sheikh Auwal Albani Zaria were all victims of cold-blooded murder.

A day after his killing, Boko Haram breakaway group, Ansaru, took responsibility for the attack in a viral audio clip.

A security analyst, Dr Audu Bulama Bukarti, also linked the cleric’s killing to Ansaru, noting that the released audio had been confirmed to be from the Ansaru group. But Masussuka’s family has rejected the claim and questioned the authenticity of the audio.

Childhood

The late cleric was born in Yauyau village in the present-day Batsari Local Government Area to a family of pastoralists. His parents relocated to Masussuka in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State when he was a toddler.

He started his Qur’anic education in Masussuka village before he left for other towns and villages and returned to Katsina in search of Islamic knowledge.

He attended the Arabic Teachers College in Katsina, but dropped out and went to Malam Zakariya Qur’anic School in Sabuwar Unguwa area of the state.

Malam Ismail Zakariya, the son of his late teacher (Malam Zakariya) and proprietor of the school, told Weekend Trust that the cleric stayed at the school for about seven years before he relocated to Dutsin-Ma town.

According to Ismail, Masussuka, besides his persistent pursuit of Islamic knowledge, was highly entrepreneurial, dealing in traditional medicines (local herbs) to sustain himself and his family.

He recalled the late cleric was arrested at the height of Boko Haram in 2000, on the suspicion that he had links with some terror groups. He was later absolved of the allegation and released unconditionally.

“My father, Malam Zakariya, engaged the security agency then and secured his release. The allegation prevented Masussuka from securing a house in Katsina City and he decided to leave Katsina for Dutsin-Ma,” Ismail said.

Ismail stated that those who disagreed with Masussuka’s preaching do so for selfish reasons.

He said, “Everyone knows the Qur’an is one scripture that cannot be altered, but what matters is the interpretation depending on how one views it and the nature of the audience.

“Hadith is the only point of contention between the Qur’aniyyun sect and the Muslims from the other sects and even those who believe in Hadith have admitted that some are prescribed as weak and others as genuine and authenticated.

“To me, the approach Masussuka adopted in explaining and interpreting those portions during preachings earned him more enemies than followers, but beyond that, there is nothing different from what other Muslim scholars preached,” he said.

Sheikh Yahaya Bani Adam, who hosted Masussuka in Dutsin-Ma town and taught him, narrated how the late cleric started his preaching as a young scholar who dedicated his youth to acquiring Islamic knowledge and preaching peace, unity and religious tolerance.

“From the time he came to Dutsin-Ma town up to the time he was assassinated, he remained my student. He respected me as a teacher and a father,” Adam said.

According to him, many scholars who opposed Masussuka’s preaching did so “out of hatred for the truth.”

According to him, “he may be wrong in his approach to presentation or interpretation as a human being, but I can tell you for free that Masussuka never compromised, saying things as they are and that could be the reason he earned more enemies. This, notwithstanding, we celebrate the truth he preached,” Adam added.

Adam, who said he has spent over 40 years as a Qur’anic school teacher, described Masussuka as a bridge builder between not only Islamic sects but also other religions, citing his relationship with Christian communities in Dutsin-Ma and across the country.

“I know Masussuka as a good planner and someone who loves to execute his plans according to specifications. He was also a man of wisdom. He established two schools in Dutsin-Ma. One purely focuses on teaching the Islamic religion, while the other focuses on both formal and non-formal education.

“What keeps coming to my mind is Masussuka’s persistent pursuit of education and his willingness to impart the same to younger generations. This means his legacy is everlasting and worthy of emulation,” he said.

‘Last moment with my husband’

The wife of the late cleric, Hajiya Fatima, recalled that Masussuka had reminded her of the oneness of Allah before he stepped out on the fateful day, adding that shortly afterwards, she heard gunshots.

She said, “On that fateful day, my husband went out for his routine and returned late in the evening around 6:00 pm. A few minutes later, he went out for the evening prayer (Magrib) and returned around 7:00pm. We stayed together for some minutes as he spoke to me about life and death, fear of Allah and the Judgement Day.”

Fatima, who fought back tears throughout the interview with Weekend Trust, explained that her husband was ambushed and killed after he left for his studio where he usually preached.

“He spoke to me about the oneness of Allah before he left home. Shortly after he left, I heard about four gunshots. Then I received the news that he had been killed. I pray that Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Aljannah Firdausi,” she added.

Fatima appealed to the state government and all other relevant authorities to fish out and prosecute Masussuka’s killers.

“My husband’s life has been terminated and he is gone forever. Those who assassinated him will surely meet the wrath of the Almighty Allah, who is the ultimate Judge,’ she lamented.

Muhammadu Sabi’u, Masussuka’s deputy, described his killing as inhumane, but urged all followers to remain calm, assuring that authorities are doing their best to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Sabi’u said he spent over 25 years under the slain cleric, saying Masussuka died preaching peace and uniting Muslims and non-Muslims in service to humanity.

“I believe the slain sheikh is a pious person who lived a life worthy of emulation by all. One thing I will never forget is that for about 25 years I spent under Masussuka, we never argued for once. He personally facilitated my memorisation of the Holy Qur’an.

“Sheikh has left a mark that will remain indelible in the minds of the people of Dutsin-Ma due to his contributions to the development of the community, ranging from his support for education to empowering the underprivileged people,” he said.

Malam Bello Danwaire, who was the slain cleric’s best friend, said they had been together since childhood, adding that he facilitated Masussuka’s relocation from Bauchi State to Katsina and finally to Dutsin-Ma town.

“We were together a few minutes to his assassination at a condolence visit where he personally preached the oneness of Allah. He also visited a sick friend on Sunday before the heartbreaking news of his killing. I have never been devastated like this, but we’re not weakened by his death,” Danwaire said.

According to him, “those who complained about the sheikh’s preaching did so out of envy, not because they have reasons for doing so.”

Katsina gov, ADC mourn

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has condemned the killing, describing it as tragic and assuring residents that security agencies would work to bring those responsible to justice.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the governor described Masussuka as a voice for peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.

Radda said the cleric was known for his Qur’an-centred teachings and opposition to violent extremism and radicalisation.

“Those behind this heinous act must be brought to justice. I urge the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” the governor said.

He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could assist the investigation. He also warned against actions capable of escalating tensions or undermining public peace.

The governor prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family, associates and the Muslim community the strength to bear the loss.

In a similar vein, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the state, Senator Babba Kaita, condoled with Masussuka’s family.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Ahmed, Kaita lamented that “the murder of Sheikh Masussuka in the open has further exposed the ever-weakening fight against insecurity by the state government in particular and by the APC-led administration in general.”

He noted that the government is doing little in meeting the basic constitutional requirements of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry.

Burial

Thousands of mourners yesterday thronged Katsina metropolis to pay their last respects to the slain cleric. The mourners included family members, friends, associates, prominent Islamic scholars, government officials, traditional rulers, business associates and followers who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries to attend his funeral.

The funeral prayer was held at the Katsina Central Mosque in the Kofar Soro area, near the Emir’s Palace.

Weekend Trust gathered that the funeral attracted followers and associates from within and outside Nigeria, including Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Shortly after the funeral prayer, his remains were taken to the Abattoir Cemetery in Katsina metropolis for burial.

The approximately four-kilometre journey from the Central Mosque to the cemetery was overwhelmed by mourners, with large crowds filling the roads.

Speaking to Weekend Trust after the burial, some mourners described his death as devastating, saying his influence extended beyond Katsina State and Nigeria.

A mourner from Kano, Musa Ameer, said, “We are devastated. It is difficult to believe that Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka is no longer with us. We came here hoping to see him, but instead, we have come to bury him. This is a painful day for all of us. May Allah forgive him and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” he said.

Another mourner, Bashir Al-Muntawi, who travelled from Chad to attend the funeral, said the deceased’s death had left him heartbroken.

“I cannot explain the pain in my heart. We have lost someone who meant so much to us. His family has lost a husband and father, while his followers have lost someone they looked up to. Nothing can replace him, but we pray that Allah gives his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

Similarly, Yusuf Usman from Maska said the large turnout at the funeral demonstrated the number of lives the late cleric had touched during his lifetime.

Planned peace gathering holds today

Late Masussuka was planning a maiden edition of a peace gathering, but was killed barely days before the gathering scheduled for October 31.

Before his death, late Masussuka had been visiting religious leaders, especially the Christians, and had received several honours from various Christian groups in his bid to advocate for religious tolerance, especially in the North.

One of his associates, Iman Rasheed, told Weekend Trust that the event would be held on Saturday (today) as planned.

In one of the videos where Masussuka spoke about the peace gathering, he said the event was aimed at reviving peaceful coexistence that used to exist between religious groups.

“Islam in the Qur’an teaches us that Christianity is a religion of compassion and Islam is a religion of mercy. Therefore, compassion and mercy are similar and need to be upheld. It is unfortunate and shameful to us to see how far we have drifted from the teaching of the Qur’an to the extent that other nations were threatening us based on our religious intolerance.

“That is why I felt it is a duty upon me to revive the peace we once enjoyed by hosting a peace gathering as a way to tell the younger ones that there is a need to live in peace with each other. That way, the government will be able to execute all the good things we need instead of concentrating on settling religious differences,” he said.

He also revealed that the gathering was his initiative and would be executed without the assistance of the government, groups or foreign donors.

Comments on Masussuka from the social media

A social analyst, Gimba Kakanda, wrote: I am just learning about the assassination of Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, one of the most refreshing and intellectually stimulating Muslim clerics Nigeria has seen in recent years. His death has left a vacuum I do not see being filled anytime soon. He was extraordinarily different and courageous, an uncompromising advocate of religious tolerance and a society in which people of different beliefs could coexist peacefully. He was also unafraid to ask probing questions about faith and challenge imposed dogmas. I am, to say the least, devastated and frightened by what this says about this dangerous place we call our region. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest and comfort his loved ones.

Another analyst simply known as Aminu, said: The life of Sheikh Masussuka is an unfulfilled life, marred with confusion, fear and histrionism.

Anyone that followed him diligently must have noticed his sudden transformation, from someone criticising anything that’s not in the Qur’an, to a cherry picker, whose sole aim wasn’t to condemn what’s not in the Qur’an, but rather to insult the Izala sect.

His death proves nothing but our terrible security situation. If a scholar like Masussuka could be taken down with such ease, what then becomes of an ordinary man?

Abdulrazak Ibrahim wrote on his Facebook page and it was reposted by a journalist and publisher of Daily Nigerian, Jaafar Jaafar. Part of his statement was: He was not without humour. When people mocked him, he could mock them back with equal vigour, using familiar Hausa expressions and metaphors that made his audiences laugh and think.

Yet he was careful with his words, challenging his opponents while navigating the legal pitfalls that could be used to silence him.

For many, he created a space where difficult philosophical questions about religion could be explored without surrendering to fear. A space where one could ask, “Why do we believe this?” without immediately being accused of abandoning faith. That, to me, is part of his enduring legacy.

Some may wonder why I concern myself with these questions. It is possible to ignore them and go about one’s business. But as someone who works in development, I have long believed that the ideas governing a society shape what that society is able to become.

Development has many causes: leadership, institutions, investment, education and history all matter. But a society that discourages questioning, punishes curiosity and teaches its young people to fear different ideas also holds itself back intellectually. It weakens the very habits of inquiry, openness and self-criticism needed to confront its problems and imagine a better future.

This is one reason I have continued to speak. The space Masussuka helped open matters beyond theology. It matters to our progress as a people, in Northern Nigeria and across Africa.

To our young people, I say this with a grieving heart: you cannot win an argument by ending a life.

If you believe someone is wrong, challenge the idea. Bring your evidence. Read, listen, debate and persuade.