Masussuka: Family rejects Ansaru’s claim, questions source of audio message
The family of Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, a prominent Islamic cleric who was recently killed in Katsina State, has dismissed claims by the Ansaru militant group that it was responsible for his death. The family insists that other individuals who had previously threatened the cleric remain the primary suspects in the case.
Abdurrashid Abdulkarim, who succeeded Sheikh Masussuka, voiced the family’s concerns in a video posted on the late cleric’s social media account. While seated in the same chair that Sheikh Masussuka often occupied, Abdulkarim refuted Ansaru’s assertions and questioned the credibility of the group’s claims.
“We reject the claim that Ansaru was responsible for the killing of Sheikh Masussuka. There are individuals who threatened him prior to his death, and we still suspect them,” he stated.
Abdulkarim also directed his comments toward Dr. Audu Bulama Bukarti, a security expert who shared an alleged audio message in which Ansaru purportedly claimed responsibility for the slaying. He challenged Bukarti to clarify the source of the recording.
“We challenge Dr. Audu Bulama Bukarti to explain where he got the audio message and how it came into his possession,” he said, citing apparent discrepancies within the statement attributed to Ansaru. Notably, there was a mismatch in the date of the incident, with the group claiming the shooting occurred on a Tuesday, while the family maintains it took place on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The family urged investigators to focus on the threats made against Sheikh Masussuka before his death, emphasizing that any claims of responsibility should not divert attention from their investigation.
“We call on Dr. Audu Bulama Bukarti to withdraw from this matter and allow security agencies to do their work,” Abdurrashid remarked.
He also appealed to authorities for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and urged identification of those responsible. Sheikh Masussuka and his associate, Adamu Abubakar, were reportedly shot by gunmen outside the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
