The Ansaru militant group has claimed responsibility for the killing of Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Malam Masussuka in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The group, which is linked to al-Qaeda, reportedly made the claim in an audio message released on Tuesday, accusing the cleric of being an unbeliever.
However, the authenticity of the audio message and the allegations contained in it have not been independently verified.
Masussuka was reportedly shot dead outside his residence in Dutsin-Ma on Monday night by gunmen who opened fire on him at about 9pm before fleeing the scene.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the killing to a DW Hausa correspondent, although further details about the circumstances of the attack were not immediately available.
The killing has raised concerns about the safety of religious leaders in the state, particularly following earlier reports that Masussuka had received threats over his religious teachings.
Nearly a year before his death, the Katsina State Government reportedly acknowledged complaints concerning threats against the cleric. However, it remains unclear whether those threats were connected to the attack that killed him.
The discrepancy in the reported timing of the incident also remains unresolved, as the killing was reported to have occurred on Monday night, while the audio message attributed to Ansaru reportedly gave a different account of the timing.
Ansaru emerged as a militant faction associated with Boko Haram before developing links with al-Qaeda. The group has been linked to extremist activities in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.
Dutsin-Ma and other communities in Katsina State have faced persistent security challenges, including attacks, kidnappings and killings by armed groups.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident, identify the perpetrators and determine whether the killing was connected to the earlier threats against the cleric.
The group’s claim of responsibility remains unverified, and the circumstances and motive behind the killing have yet to be independently established.
