Northern Christians condemn killing of Islamic cleric, need probe, stronger safety

The Northern Christians Association (NCA) has condemned the killing of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, and his affiliate, Adamu Abubakar, in Katsina State, calling for an intensive investigation and stronger safety measures to guard weak communities throughout Northern Nigeria.

The NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, described the killing as significantly painful given the late cleric’s dedication to selling spiritual concord and peaceable coexistence, warning that violence should not be allowed to silence voices advocating tolerance and unity. Blueprint studies

Masussuka and Abubakar had been reportedly shot useless by unidentified gunmen using a motorbike in entrance of the cleric’s residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Monday night, October 26, 2026. Police have reportedly commenced investigations to trace down these accountable.

NCA seeks thorough investigation into killing

Hayab urged safety companies to depart no stone unturned in establishing the circumstances surrounding the assault, figuring out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

He additionally known as for investigators to ascertain whether or not the cleric’s peacebuilding actions had any reference to the killing, stressing the necessity for a complete investigation relatively than hypothesis concerning the motive.

The NCA chairman mentioned accountability was important to making sure that these chargeable for the deaths had been prosecuted and that the incident didn’t deepen concern or suspicion amongst spiritual communities.

Calls for stronger safety in weak communities

Beyond the investigation, Hayab urged the federal government and safety companies to strengthen safety throughout weak communities in Northern Nigeria by improved intelligence gathering, efficient surveillance and proactive operations.

He careworn that safety measures must be designed not solely to answer assaults after they happen but additionally to determine threats early and forestall additional lack of lives.

The affiliation additionally known as for satisfactory safety for spiritual leaders and different residents working to advertise peaceable coexistence, warning that legal violence should not be allowed to intimidate these dedicated to constructing bridges throughout spiritual and ethnic divides.

Clerics urged to not abandon peacebuilding efforts

Hayab inspired spiritual leaders dedicated to peace, unity and concord to not enable the killing to discourage them from their calling.

According to him, the dying of a cleric recognized for selling spiritual concord ought to strengthen, relatively than weaken, the resolve of peace-loving Nigerians to reject hatred, intolerance and violence.

He mentioned spiritual leaders had an essential function to play in encouraging mutual respect and understanding, including that their efforts remained important to constructing a society the place folks of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds might stay collectively peacefully.

Hayab cautions in opposition to spiritual rigidity, retaliation

While expressing concern over insecurity in elements of the nation, the NCA chairman urged Christians and Muslims to stay united in opposition to violence and resist makes an attempt to use the tragedy to inflame spiritual rigidity, deepen divisions or encourage retaliation.

He careworn that the killing shouldn’t change into a motive for hostility between communities, however ought to as a substitute reinforce the necessity for cooperation in confronting insecurity.

Hayab prolonged the affiliation’s condolences to the households of the deceased, the Muslim Ummah, and the governments and folks of Katsina and Bauchi states, from the place the late cleric reportedly hailed.

He prayed for consolation and power for the bereaved households and associates of the deceased, whereas urging residents to supply credible data to safety companies to help the investigation.