Gunmen kill prominent Islamic cleric, associate in Katsina

Unidentified gunmen have assassinated a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, and his associate in the Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

In response to the attack, security forces have activated a manhunt to apprehend the assailants.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 pm on Monday, October 26, 2026, right in front of the cleric’s residence.

Dawn Herald gathered that two armed men operating on a motorcycle approached the victims and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene. Both Sheikh Masussuka and his friend, identified as Adamu Abubakar, sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the attack.

The Katsina State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the assassinations in a press release issued on Monday evening, stating that:

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

The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, has ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area to track down the killers and restore order.

The police commissioner extended his condolences to the families and followers of the deceased cleric, as well as the residents of Dutsin-Ma.

He advised residents to stay calm, pledging  to apprehend the perpetrators and to ensure justice is served.