New terror group ‘Mahmuda’ terrorizes Kwara, Niger Communities

The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umoru Seriki, has raised a distress call over the deteriorating security situation in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State and neighboring Niger State, alleging that a terror group known as ‘Mahmuda’ has taken hold of several communities, while authorities turn a blind eye.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday, the visibly distressed traditional ruler lamented the alleged abandonment of his people by government agencies. “The situation is that we are totally demoralized,” Seriki said.

“We are not happy with what the authorities are saying — that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains. We feel abandoned and left on our own.”

He further described the atmosphere of fear and helplessness among residents, adding, “It is very unfortunate that we have been complaining about this issue for some time, but nobody seems to be paying attention to our plight. As it stands, we have no choice but to continue defending ourselves.”

According to Seriki, the insurgent attacks are not limited to Baruten and Kaiama local government areas in Kwara State but have also extended to Borgu Kingdom in Niger State.

Confirming last week’s deadly encounter, the Emir revealed that a security vehicle, funded by community contributions to assist local vigilantes, was bombed by the terrorists. Fortunately, the vigilantes survived the attack, though several sustained injuries.

While debunking social media reports that 15 vigilantes were killed, Seriki acknowledged that both sides suffered casualties during the clashes.

“The casualties we suffered were not exactly 15, but we did record some losses, and the terrorists also suffered some casualties,” he said. “The information being circulated on social media is largely true. We are just praying to God for protection.”

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However, in a swift response, the Kwara State Police Command dismissed the claims of a terror group’s presence and the reported killings.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Saturday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, refuted the emergence of the so-called ‘Mahmuda’ terror group, insisting that no credible evidence supports the claim.

“The allegations of 15 vigilantes being killed are entirely false and devoid of any factual basis,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

She added that comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations conducted in Kaiama and Baruten areas have not revealed any insurgent activity or mass casualty incidents.

The police assured that all security formations within Kwara State remain proactive and strategically positioned under a multi-agency operational framework, which includes collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies.

Ejire-Adeyemi emphasized that no breach of internal security had been reported from the concerned communities and warned the public and media outlets against spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.

“Our community engagement structures, including Vigilante Commanders and District Heads, have not relayed any such incidents,” she asserted.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by volatile cross-border movements around the Kainji Lake National Park, the police maintained that effective situational control has been sustained across all border communities.

The Kwara State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo, reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to report suspicious activities through official channels for swift intervention.

As tensions remain high in the affected communities, the people of Baruten and its environs continue to grapple with fear, awaiting concrete actions from both the state and federal authorities.