The reported claim of responsibility by Ansaru for the killing of Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka has added a new dimension to the investigation into the deadly attack in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, where the preacher and his associate, Adamu Abubakar, were shot dead.

The Katsina State Police Command said the attack occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, when two armed men riding on a motorcycle opened fire on the victims outside the cleric’s residence. Both men were rushed to a hospital but were pronounced dead.

The police have deployed tactical and operational teams to the area and commenced investigations to identify and arrest the attackers. The command said efforts were being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

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Reports of the alleged Ansaru claim have circulated, but the group’s responsibility has not been independently established. The police have not publicly confirmed the claim, while the identities of the attackers and their motive remain unclear.

Masussuka was known for his Qur’an-centred teachings, which attracted both support and criticism among religious audiences. In 2025, the Katsina State Government reportedly intervened following complaints and threats linked to disputes over his teachings. However, no established evidence has connected those earlier disagreements to the killing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killings and directed the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to track down, arrest and prosecute those responsible. Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda also condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and the reported claim of responsibility should not be treated as confirmation of who carried out the attack until it is verified by investigators.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the Nigerian Police authorities to ensure that a contractor rebuilding religious worship centres at Ijeh Police Barracks in Obalende, Lagos, reconstructs both the mosque and the church, following allegations that the contractor intends to abandon the mosque because of his religious affiliation.

MURIC alleged that the contractor, who has reportedly commenced work on the church, refused to rebuild the mosque because he is a Catholic. The organisation called on the police authorities to investigate the allegation and ensure that both projects are completed in accordance with the terms of the contract.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the group’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said rebuilding one worship centre while leaving the other unattended would raise concerns about religious fairness, accountability and the use of public funds.

The organisation said the church and mosque were demolished between August 31 and September 1, 2026, and that the reconstruction project should provide for both Christian and Muslim worshippers living in the barracks.

Ijeh Police Barracks, located along St. Gregory’s College Road in Ikoyi, accommodates police personnel and their families, including Muslims and Christians. MURIC argued that providing worship facilities for both religious communities was important to maintaining fairness and peaceful coexistence.

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The group said the alleged refusal to rebuild the mosque, if established, would violate the terms of the contract and undermine confidence in the process.

MURIC urged the police authorities to call the contractor to order and ensure that work on both buildings progressed simultaneously. It also suggested that the contractor should be replaced if personal religious convictions prevented him from carrying out the full assignment.

The organisation further raised concerns about the reported allocation of land for the two worship centres, alleging that the church had been allocated 108 feet while the mosque was allocated 68 feet.

It called on the police authorities to explain the basis for the difference, arguing that the allocation should be guided by transparent and fair criteria.

MURIC also questioned the use of public funds for a project that, according to its account, was intended to cover both buildings. It maintained that taxpayers from different religious backgrounds contributed to public revenue and should receive equal consideration in the provision of public facilities.

The organisation cited reports concerning the provision of prayer space for Muslim visitors at the Vatican as an example of religious accommodation. It also raised broader concerns about alleged restrictions on Muslim workers and students seeking to observe Friday congregational prayers, known as Jumu’ah.

The group called on the police authorities to address both the alleged refusal to rebuild the mosque and the reported difference in land allocation, stressing that the issues required clarification to prevent further religious tension.

As of the time of the statement, MURIC’s allegations against the contractor and its claims concerning the land allocation had not been independently verified. There was also no response from the police authorities or the contractor included in the organisation’s press release.

The police authorities’ response, alongside clarification of the contract terms and land allocation, would help establish the circumstances surrounding the reconstruction project.

The Federal Government’s investigative panel has recommended the dismissal of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other officers directly involved in the detention of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.

The committee also recommended the prosecution of officers implicated in the incident and ₦1.4 billion in compensation for the families of 33 deceased victims and 44 survivors, according to details released on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when the panel submitted its report in Abuja.

Jonathan Kure, chairman of the Independent Investigative Committee and a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), presented the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Kure said the deaths were avoidable and that the victims, including 14 minors, had been held in inhumane conditions. The committee recommended disciplinary action against officers found to have been directly involved in the detention of the miners and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The recommendations followed a Federal Government investigation ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the deaths triggered public concern and calls for accountability.

The 37 victims died on September 17, 2026, after being arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State. They were subsequently held at an NSCDC facility in Minna.

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According to reports on the panel’s findings, the detainees died from asphyxiation, a condition in which the body is deprived of sufficient oxygen. The committee reportedly described the deaths as preventable and raised concerns about the conditions in which the victims were detained.

The committee’s recommendations include the summary dismissal of the Niger State NSCDC commandant and other officers directly involved in the detention of the miners, as well as prosecution where the evidence supports criminal responsibility. The recommendations do not, by themselves, constitute criminal convictions.

The panel also called for institutional reforms within the NSCDC to strengthen leadership, improve professional standards and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

Receiving the report, Tunji-Ojo said the Federal Government would implement the committee’s recommendations to pursue justice for the affected families and survivors.

The minister also directed the immediate suspension of officers accused of cleaning the detention facility in a manner allegedly intended to destroy evidence. The allegation highlights the importance of preserving material evidence for any further investigation or legal proceedings.

The committee was established after the Federal Government suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation.

The 10-member panel, inaugurated on September 22, was chaired by Kure and tasked with identifying the deceased, investigating the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determining the cause of death and establishing whether negligence, misconduct or breaches of duty contributed to the incident.

During its investigation, the committee inspected the detention facility and other locations connected with the incident. It also gathered statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, bereaved families and other witnesses, while examining documentary, medical and forensic evidence.

Earlier in October, Kure said preliminary findings had pointed to institutional lapses and overzealousness among some personnel. At that stage, the committee said it was still reviewing evidence and awaiting forensic and pathology reports before reaching its final conclusions.

The submission of the report marks a significant stage in the investigation, but the implementation of the recommendations and any subsequent disciplinary or criminal proceedings will determine the next steps.

The case has renewed calls for stronger safeguards in detention facilities and greater accountability by security agencies responsible for people in custody. The affected families are seeking justice and answers over the deaths of their relatives.