Nigerian preacher Yahaya Masussuka killed outside his Katsina home
Islamic cleric Yahaya Masussuka was shot dead outside his home in Dutsin-Ma, in Nigeria’s northern Katsina state, alongside a visitor who also died. His killing matters amid a long history of violence against religious figures in northern Nigeria, though authorities have not established why he was targeted.
Police said two attackers arrived on a motorcycle on Monday evening and shot the 47-year-old preacher as he farewelled visitors. Masussuka had received social media death threats after challenging some mainstream Islamic teachings, and had previously been jailed for mocking scholars over their beliefs. He advocated peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians and received a peace award last year; six other prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered in northern Nigeria over the past two decades.
In short
- Cleric Yahaya Masussuka was killed in Katsina state.
- A visitor was also shot dead in the attack.
- His teachings had drawn threats, but the motive is unclear.
Explained simply
Katsina is a state in northern Nigeria, where Islam is the main religion. Dutsin-Ma, where Yahaya Masussuka lived, is one of its towns; religious leaders there can have a public influence through their preaching and commentary.
Masussuka had challenged some widely held Islamic teachings and had faced threats and a prison sentence linked to his comments about religious scholars. He also called for Muslims and Christians to live peacefully together, and received a peace award last year.
Religious figures have been among those killed in northern Nigeria over the past two decades, but the reasons for such attacks vary. In Masussuka’s case, authorities have not established why he was targeted.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Controversial Islamic cleric shot dead in northern Nigeria”.