Police Investigate Killing of Katsina Cleric After Ansaru Claim

Islamic cleric Yahaya Masussuka and Adamu Abubakar were shot outside Masussuka’s residence in DutsinMa, Katsina State, and later died in hospital, police said. The Katsina State Police Command said it had opened an investigation and deployed teams to track the attackers. No suspect had been identified in the reports available on October 27, 2026. Police said two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on the men on Monday, October 26. The State House also placed the killings on Monday. Police accounts put the shooting at about 2:30 p.m. EDT, or 18:30 UTC. Ansaru has reportedly claimed responsibility in a recording, but the group’s role has not been independently established. Neither police nor the State House named Ansaru as responsible, and the recording’s authenticity and precise wording have not been verified. The reported account in the recording gives a different time and day. Security analyst Bulama Bukarti said the speaker placed the attack at about 8:30 p.m. and referred to Tuesday as the day it happened. That conflicts with the Monday date and earlier time given by officials. The supplied reporting does not establish which timing is correct. The recording reportedly...