Controversial Islamic cleric shot dead in northern Nigeria

A controversial Islamic cleric in Nigeria has been murdered outside his home in the northern state of Katsina. Two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and shot Yahaya Masussuka in the town of Dutsin-Ma as he was saying goodbye to visitors on Monday evening, sources told the BBC. The 47-year-old preacher and one of his guests, who was also shot, were rushed to hospital but both were pronounced dead by the attending doctor, police said. It is not clear why Masussuka was targeted, but the cleric had received death threats on social media where he posted videos in which he rejected some elements of mainstream Islam, including what happens to people after their death.