Four Fulani men, a community vigilante, and a 19-year-old teenager were killed in a fresh wave of violence allegedly carried out by a new terrorist group known as Mahmuda.
The teenager was struck by a stray bullet during the assault in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. The same day, a similar attack occurred in Kaiama, also in Kwara, where another vigilante lost his life.
A resident told reporters that the attackers appeared to be on a targeted mission. “We suspect that they came with a premeditated motive because they fired at the Fulani at close range shooting them in the head,” he said, adding that the vigilante was perceived as a threat due to his locally made gun, while the young boy was caught in the crossfire.
The area attacked is a popular market center, often bustling with traders. Locals believe the assault was a reprisal, linked to allegations that some residents had cooperated with security forces in efforts to flush out terrorists.
Mahmuda, the newly identified group, has reportedly been operating for years in Kwara’s Kaiama and Baruten LGAs and in neighboring Borgu in Niger State. Villages such as Tenebo, Kemaanji, Nuku, and Wawa have been repeatedly raided, with reports of killings and kidnappings.
While residents insist the group is real and dangerous, the Kwara State Police Command has denied its existence. Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said, “Our comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance and tactical reconnaissance operations in these areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity.”
However, community leaders disagree. The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umaru Seriki, noted, “The attacks are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara State, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State.” He said locals live in fear as the terrorists grow more brazen, even destroying a vehicle provided for vigilantes.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Kaiama alongside military and intelligence chiefs. During a meeting with the Emir of Kaiama, he noted that the attacks were reprisal moves targeting vigilantes who had resisted the terrorists. “We are working with the military who have visited the place, made contact and had robust engagement,” he said.
According to reports, the Mahmuda group has roots in Mokwa, Niger State, and took control of Kainji Lake National Park over five years ago, displacing forest guards. Although some believe Mahmuda is a splinter group from Boko Haram, they appear to have a different ideology and ties with extremist factions in Benin and Niger Republic.
Despite denials from law enforcement, intelligence and counter-terrorism experts are urging the government to act swiftly. Abdullahi Garba, a security expert, questioned the preparedness of the country’s intelligence units. “Why do we have intelligence agencies if we can’t determine this type of scenario in our country?” he asked.
