Ansaru Claim Not End Of Probe — Amnesty Boss Isa Sanusi Demands Deep Investigation Into Killing Of Sheikh Masussuka
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned what it described as uninvestigated murders and lack of accountability in killings linked to religious disagreements and social media threats, following the killing of Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka in Katsina State.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in an exclusive interview with DCL Hausa and monitored by Northern Nigeria Hub, said the government and security agencies have repeatedly failed to conduct transparent and comprehensive investigations into extrajudicial killings driven by accusations of blasphemy and ideological differences.
He was reacting to the claim by the terrorist group Ansaru that it was responsible for the killing of the cleric in Dutsin-Ma.
Sanusi said the claim by Ansaru should not be treated as the end of investigation.
According to him, the deceased had been receiving threats before his death, with videos circulating on social media where some persons vowed that they would see his end, and authorities must explain what action they took after seeing those videos.
He said it is a major issue that should not be closed simply because a group claimed responsibility, stressing that investigators must verify whether the audio truly emanated from Ansaru, obtain evidence and examine every angle.
Sanusi insisted that investigation must follow due process and not rely on a single statement, noting that the case of the cleric raises serious questions about protection of persons facing threats to life.
He said an investigation should have been opened promptly to ensure justice for the family, followers and students of the cleric, asking what steps were taken to investigate those threatening him while he was alive and whether security was provided to him.
He clarified that Amnesty is not denying Ansaru’s claim but that the claim should be included among issues investigators will look into, and that the investigation must be expanded beyond the claim to ensure justice is served.
Sanusi said it would be putting the cart before the horse to start discussing punishment for Ansaru before a thorough investigation is concluded, adding that the matter of Ansaru should be set aside to allow verification of the authenticity of all information.
He said for the sake of justice, investigators must pause and examine every message and every aspect of the case before deciding next steps.
On expectations from government, Sanusi said Amnesty is waiting to see the steps security agents will take, and not the usual kind of investigation where suspects are paraded and nothing is heard again.
He cited the case of a social media personality known as late Shagamu killed by gunmen in Kano earlier this year, where two young boys were initially arrested and up till now nothing is known about the case.
He said Amnesty does not want a repeat of such pattern and will follow up to see what kind of investigation is being done and whether it complies with standards of truth and justice.
Sanusi warned that in a decent society, people should not pick up guns and kill others simply because they dislike their opinions, saying if such continues, life will become a jungle existence practiced only by animals.
He called on authorities to work conscientiously to fish out those who committed the act and ensure they face appropriate punishment regardless of who they are or which group they belong to, so that anyone tempted to kill because of divergent views knows there are consequences.
