‘Bullets May Silence A Man But Cannot Kill The Truth’ — Ex-Minister Dalung Mourns Slain Sheikh Masussuka

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Selcap Dalung Esq, has mourned the killing of renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Yahaya Masussuka, describing it as another voice of peace silenced by the bullets of intolerance.

Dalung, in a tribute titled “ANOTHER VOICE OF PEACE SILENCED BY THE BULLETS OF INTOLERANCE,” said he received with profound shock the gruesome killing of his friend and fellow peace advocate in his residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

“I received with profound shock, grief, and utter disbelief the devastating news of the gruesome killing of my friend, brother, and fellow peace advocate, the renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Yahaya Masussuka, who was reportedly murdered by armed criminals who attacked him in his residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State,” Dalung said.

He said the death is not merely a personal loss but a painful blow to peace, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

“His death is not merely a personal loss to me; it is a painful blow to the cause of peace, religious tolerance, ideological dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. I mourn a brother whose life was associated with religious discourse and the advocacy of peace,” he said.

Dalung questioned whether evil has triumphed over good, insisting violence cannot have the final word.

“Has evil finally triumphed over good? It may appear so today, but I refuse to accept that violence has the final word in human history. Bullets may silence a man, but they cannot kill the truth. Assassins may terminate a life, but they cannot permanently extinguish the ideas, convictions, and principles for which their victims stood,” he said.

He unequivocally condemned the use of violence to settle ideological and religious disagreements.

“I unequivocally condemn the deployment of violence to settle ideological, religious, or doctrinal disagreements. No religious interpretation, ideological conviction, or disagreement can justify the deliberate taking of human life. Those who believe that the gun is a legitimate instrument for defeating opposing views have demonstrated a tragic failure of reason, tolerance, and humanity. Faith must never become a licence to kill, and religious disagreement must never become a death sentence,” Dalung stated.

The former minister said the assassination raises disturbing questions about the safety of clerics with reformist views.

“The assassination of Sheikh Masussuka raises disturbing questions about the safety of clerics and religious voices whose reformist views may challenge established doctrines, interests, or orthodoxies. If individuals can be murdered merely because their views are considered controversial, then the very foundation of religious freedom, intellectual inquiry, and peaceful coexistence is under threat,” he said.

Dalung called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation without sacred cows.

“I therefore call on the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into his killing, identify the perpetrators and their sponsors, where applicable, and ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice. There must be no sacred cows, no protection for the powerful, and no attempt to bury this tragedy beneath the weight of silence or political expediency,” he said.

“We must refuse to allow his death to become another unresolved tragedy in our national history. Silence in the face of such violence emboldens the perpetrators, while impunity sends a dangerous message that human life can be taken without consequence,” he added.

He extended condolences to the family, praying Allah grants him Jannatul Firdaus.

“May Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus… Adieu, Limamin Qur’ani Zalala. You have departed, but the struggle for peace must continue. Your voice may have been silenced by violence, but the ideals of peace, tolerance, and justice must outlive those who seek to destroy them,” Dalung concluded.