Tinubu Orders Intensified Probe Into Killing of Katsina Cleric as Ansaru Claims Responsibility

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify investigations into the killing of Islamic preacher Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The directive followed a claim of responsibility by terrorist group Ansaru, which reportedly said it carried out the attack that killed the two men on Monday evening. However, the group’s claim has not been independently established, and police have not publicly confirmed its involvement.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the killings and instructed the police and other security agencies to step up efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

The president described the attack as heinous and an assault on peace and the sanctity of human life. He also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, their followers and the people of Katsina State.

Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ansaru, formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, claimed responsibility in a four-minute video obtained by the newspaper.

According to the report, the group cited the cleric’s religious positions and his advocacy for peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths as reasons for targeting him. These claims remain attributable to the group and have not been independently verified.

The Katsina State Police Command had earlier said the shooting occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, when two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on the victims outside the cleric’s residence.

Police said tactical teams had been deployed to track down the attackers. The investigation is expected to establish who carried out the killings and the circumstances surrounding the attack.