A cleric whose videos questioning mainstream Islamic teachings had circulated widely online has been killed in northern Nigeria. Yahaya Masussuka was shot dead, according to reports, making him the latest religious figure in the region to meet a violent end over his beliefs.
Masussuka had become a polarising presence, posting videos in which he openly rejected certain elements of mainstream Islam. That kind of public dissent carries real risk in parts of northern Nigeria, where religious tensions frequently spill into violence.
The circumstances surrounding his killing are still unfolding, and no details about suspects or a motive have been confirmed in the source reporting. What is clear is that his death has added another layer of grief and urgency to conversations about religious freedom and safety in the region.
Originally published by BBC Africa.