Gunmen kill prominent Islamic cleric, friend in Katsina – The Witness Nigeria

Gunmen have killed Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, a prominent Islamic cleric, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Katsina State.

Abubakar Aliyu, spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, said in a statement on Tuesday that the victims were killed at about 7:30 pm on Monday in front of the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“The Katsina State Police Command regrets to confirm the tragic death of a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, following an attack by suspected armed gunmen,” the statement reads.

“The incident occurred today, Monday, 26th October 2026, at about 7:30 PM, in front of the scholar’s residence in Dutsin-Ma LGA, Katsina State, when two armed men riding on a motorcycle opened fire, fatally injuring both victims.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Dutsin-Ma, promptly led a team of operatives to the scene.

“The victims were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for medical attention, where they were unfortunately pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor.”

Aliyu said Ali Fage, the state’s commissioner of police, had ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area.

He added that an investigation had commenced, while efforts were being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The attack comes amid persistent insecurity in Katsina State, where gunmen have raided communities, kidnapped residents for ransom and rustled cattle.

Several communities across the state have suffered repeated attacks, forcing residents to flee their homes and disrupting farming and other economic activities.