Thousands mourn slain Islamic scholar Masussuka at Katsina burial
Katsina (Nigeria): Thousands of mourners, Islamic scholars, religious leaders and followers on Friday thronged Katsina State in Nigeria to bid farewell to Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, the Islamic cleric who was shot dead by gunmen in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
The funeral prayer was performed at the Emir of Katsina’s Palace shortly after the Friday congregational prayers, with the Imam of Muhammadu Dikko Central Mosque leading the rites at about 1449 GMT.
The large crowd made it difficult for the ambulance conveying the remains of the deceased to move through the gathering, delaying the procession to the cemetery for several hours.
Mourners, many of whom wept openly, chanted religious slogans, including “Allahu Akbar”, as they struggled to catch a final glimpse of the cleric.
Some reached out to touch the ambulance carrying his remains, while others chanted: “Masussuka is not dead; his virtues are still alive; shame on his enemies.”
According to a report by Leadership newspaper, the emotional procession attracted thousands of followers who flooded the streets to witness the final rites.
Imam Rasheed Masussuka, a student and son-in-law of the deceased, led the procession conveying the remains to Abbatuwa Cemetery in Katsina metropolis, where the cleric was buried near his associate, Adamu Abubakar Nasarawa, who was killed in the same attack.
The burial attracted the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, representatives of the Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya and Shi’a Islamic groups, as well as Islamic scholars and personalities from Ghana, Niger Republic and Chad.
Security personnel and members of the Yan Agaji volunteer group were deployed to manage the crowd and maintain order during the funeral procession.
Malam Yahaya Adam Bani, a former teacher of the deceased, described Sheikh Masussuka as an exceptional Islamic scholar whose teachings and contributions to religious scholarship would continue to influence generations.
In an earlier interview with Leadership, he said the cleric’s death would not erase the knowledge he had imparted to society.
“Just as other Islamic scholars wrote books and left behind knowledge that people continue to benefit from, Sheikh Masussuka has also left his mark on the world,” he said.
He urged the cleric’s followers to preserve his teachings and remain committed to peaceful religious propagation rather than allowing his killing to provoke hostility.
The burial followed the killing of Sheikh Masussuka and his companion on Monday, October 26, when gunmen reportedly attacked them outside the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma.
The Katsina State Police Command said two armed men riding on a motorcycle opened fire on the victims at about 1930 hours before fleeing the scene.
According to Premium Times, Suleiman Abubakar, a longtime associate who witnessed the attack, said the shooting came from different directions and continued intermittently.
“I pressed the button to unlock the car so he could open the door and enter. Suddenly, I heard gunfire,” he told the newspaper.
He said the cleric was subsequently found lying in a pool of blood and was rushed to hospital, where medical personnel confirmed his death.
The newspaper also reported that the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, confirmed that the remains had been embalmed but that no post-mortem examination had been conducted before the burial.
Mr Abubakar explained that the burial was delayed to allow consultations among family members and elders while the authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“There is a reason, because we have elders ahead of us. The government is also aware of what happened, so we had to wait and hear what would be done,” he told Premium Times.
He said security personnel had visited the residence and recovered spent ammunition casings near its entrance.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing and directed the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intensify investigations to identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
In a statement issued on October 27, the President described the incident as “a heinous act and an assault on the values of peace and the sanctity of human life.”
The Katsina State Government also condemned the killing, with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda describing the deceased as a voice for peace and interfaith harmony and assuring residents that the circumstances surrounding his death would be investigated.
The killing has attracted condemnation from religious leaders and civil society organisations, with calls for a thorough investigation and accountability.
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