In a heartbreaking escalation of violence in Nigeria’s North-West, terrorists have brutally murdered a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Mustapha Aliyu Unguwar Mai Kawo, after holding him hostage for nearly three harrowing weeks.
Sheikh Mustapha, a revered religious leader and head of the Munazzamatul Fityanul Islam in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, was abducted from his hometown, Unguwar Mai Kawo, in a brazen attack that has left his community shattered and the nation reeling.
The tragic news of his death was confirmed late Friday by a security analyst, who goes by the moniker Bakatsine on X (formerly Twitter). In a somber post, he wrote:
“SAD NEWS: Bandits have killed Sheikh Mustapha Aliyu Unguwar Mai Kawo, a respected Islamic scholar & leader of Munazzamatul Fityanul Islam in Kankara LGA, Katsina State, after nearly 3 weeks in captivity.”
The killing has ignited a wave of outrage and sorrow on social media, with citizens expressing deep frustration over the persistent reign of terror in the region. Many described the scholar’s murder as not only a devastating blow to the Islamic community but also a damning indictment of the government’s inability to protect its citizens from the grip of terrorism and banditry.
Sheikh Mustapha was known for his deep knowledge of Islamic teachings, his unwavering commitment to peace, and his efforts to mentor youths in moral and spiritual development. His abduction and gruesome killing have sent shockwaves far beyond Katsina, sparking renewed calls for urgent action against the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria.
Critics have slammed the federal and state governments for what they call a sluggish and ineffective response to the security crisis, which continues to claim innocent lives and destabilize entire communities.
As condolences pour in from religious bodies, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians, the question remains: how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?
PIONEER NEWS 