Terror Group Ansaru Claims Responsibility For Killing Of Katsina Cleric Sheikh Masussuka

Terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, Ansaru, has claimed responsibility for the killing of prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group, which broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 after a leadership dispute with late Abubakar Shekau, made the claim in a four-minute, fifteen-second audio message released early Tuesday, hours after the killing.

In the audio, a speaker for the group labelled the cleric a disbeliever and said the attack was executed by its soldiers.

“This disbeliever is Yahaya Masussuka and his close associates. Today, Tuesday night around 8:30, Allah used some soldiers from His soldiers, a unit from His units… to put an end to a disbeliever who corrupted the religion of Islam and the traditions of the Messenger of Allah, Peace Be Upon Him… We, the Jama’ar Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan, are pleased to announce to the Muslim Ummah.”

London-based Nigerian lawyer and security analyst, Bulama Bukarti, who analyzed the audio, confirmed the claim in his commentary.

He said: “Early this morning on Tuesday, a few hours ago, the Ansaru group released an audio message in which they claimed responsibility for the killing of Malam Yahaya Masussuka… And in this message, the group indicated that they carried out this attack on him because of their ideology rejecting hadiths.”

According to Bukarti, the group targeted the cleric under the pretext of ideological differences, particularly attacking his stance on interfaith dialogue, peace-building and religious tolerance, which the group condemned.

Analysts noted a discrepancy in Ansaru’s timeline, as the group claimed the attack happened Tuesday 8:30pm, while the cleric was actually killed Monday night in front of his residence alongside his friend.

Ansaru, which has increasingly entrenched its operations in North-West states including Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger, has been accused of targeting moderate clerics who challenge its extremist ideology.

Security experts say the killing is strategic, as Sheikh Masussuka was reportedly organizing a major peace conference aimed at fostering harmony and countering extremist narratives, making him a prime target for a faction that thrives on division.