The terrorist group Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated faction, has claimed responsibility for the killing of prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka at his residence in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The group reportedly made the claim in an audio message released on Tuesday, in which it accused the cleric of being an infidel without specifying any particular offence he allegedly committed.

In the message, the group said the attack was carried out at about 8:30 p.m. However, while the speaker reportedly referred to Tuesday as the day of the incident, available accounts indicate that the killing occurred on Monday.

Ansaru also accused the cleric of opposing what it described as Islamic teachings, although the allegations were not supported with publicly established evidence.

The killing has raised concerns over the growing threats facing religious leaders and advocates of peace and interfaith dialogue in parts of northern Nigeria.

Barrister Audu Bulama Bukarti, a legal expert who has followed extremist groups in the region, reportedly said Sheikh Masussuka had been planning to organise a major peace conference, raising questions about whether his peacebuilding activities may have contributed to his being targeted.

However, the motive for the killing has not been independently established, and the group’s accusations should be treated as claims rather than verified facts.

Ansaru emerged in 2012 after breaking away from Boko Haram over disagreements with the leadership of Abubakar Shekau. The group has been associated with extremist activities in parts of north-western Nigeria, including areas of Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states.

Its claim of responsibility for the killing underscores the security challenges facing communities in the region and the risks confronting individuals working to promote peaceful coexistence.

Security agencies are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing, establish the perpetrators’ identities and motives, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The incident has renewed calls for stronger protection of religious leaders, community figures and peace advocates, as well as sustained efforts to counter extremist violence and prevent attacks motivated by ideological intolerance. (Zagazola, excluding headline)