Suspected armed men have shot dead an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack occurred at about 7.30pm on Monday, October 26, when two gunmen riding on a motorcycle reportedly opened fire on the victims in front of the cleric’s residence.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the killings in a statement on Tuesday issued by its spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu.
The command expressed regret over the deaths, describing Masussuka as a prominent Islamic scholar.
“The Katsina State Police Command regrets to confirm the tragic death of a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, following an attack by suspected armed gunmen,” Aliyu said.
He explained that the assailants shot the two men before fleeing the scene.
According to the police, the Divisional Police Officer in Dutsin-Ma immediately mobilised operatives to the location after receiving information about the incident.
The victims were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel confirmed their deaths.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Fage, has directed the deployment of tactical and operational teams to strengthen security in the area and facilitate the arrest of the perpetrators.
Aliyu said investigations were ongoing, adding that efforts had been intensified to track down the fleeing gunmen.
The police, however, did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or establish a possible motive for the killings.
The incident adds to the growing security concerns in Katsina State, which has suffered repeated attacks by armed groups targeting rural communities.
Residents in several parts of the state have faced raids, abductions for ransom and cattle rustling, with the violence forcing some families to abandon their homes.
The persistent attacks have also affected agricultural activities and disrupted livelihoods in communities dependent on farming and livestock rearing.
Authorities have continued to face pressure to strengthen security operations and protect residents from armed groups operating across the state.
It was not immediately clear whether the latest killing was connected to previous attacks in the area.
Leave a Reply