Despite the well-publicized arrest of the gang’s leader last year, locals and security experts claim that the infamous Mahmuda terror group is still active and deadly, particularly in Kwara State’s Kaiama–Baruten axis.
The recent massacre in the Woro hamlet, which claimed over 100 lives, has brought attention to the ongoing security risks in the area once more. Many people are blaming the Mahmuda gang, a subgroup associated with ISWAP that is allegedly active in the Kainji National Park area.
Although there are now military patrols in Kaiama town, a local resident who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity claimed that they hardly ever go far into the forests where terrorists operate.
“Not much has changed here since the news of their arrest,” he stated. Although there has been some relief in Kaiama town due to the soldiers’ patrols, you are not allowed to farm or do anything else in the bush.
The terrorists are left to reassemble inside the forest as the military conduct their operations and head back to town. For this reason, they continue to launch isolated strikes and vanish.
Emir, Village Head: Terrorists Are Becoming More Violent
Alhaji Muazu Omar, the Emir of Kaiama, observed that after the Mahmuda gang was suppressed, attacks had gotten more violent.
“Mahmuda leaders and their boys have turned violent since their recent arrest,” he claimed.
Hussein Mohammed, a village chief, also cautioned that the commanders who were imprisoned had already trained replacements, many of whom are currently carrying out lethal operations throughout border towns.
“The arrested leaders have trained men who have already taken over, over 300 of them,” he stated. Despite their best efforts, the security officers are unable to be present everywhere. The state of affairs has gotten worse.
Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, a retired security analyst and director of the Department of State Services (DSS), said that apprehending terrorist leaders by themselves would not resolve the situation.
He argued that poverty, ineffective leadership, and undefended borders continue to be the key culprits and stated, “They should go further to dismantle the groups completely.”
“Insecurity thrives when people lack livelihoods, food, and healthcare, and farmers cannot access markets,” he continued. Human security must be addressed by the government, or else the issue will continue.
He bemoaned the breakdown of intelligence networks, claiming that the lack of support for informants has damaged community-based information sharing.
“We had an Information Fund (IF) during our time,” said Suleiman. We provided financial support to informants, assisted their children in obtaining school entrance, and even engaged in social interactions with them. There is little to no motivation these days.
Consider the 1.5 million applications received countrywide for the most recent Immigration and Correctional Service recruiting. However, two local governments in Kwara cannot be adequately covered by even 500,000 officers.
Suleiman demanded that Nigeria’s security framework be completely redesigned.
“We won’t get very far with the existing template. He went on, “The government needs to wake up.”
“Those riding hundreds of motorcycles into communities are not ghosts,” Suleiman continued. People are observing them as they move through villages.
Mahmuda’s Leader Was Arrested by DSS Last Year
Abubakar Abba, a purported Mahmuda group commander, was detained by the DSS in Wawa town, Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, last year.
Mohammed Umaru Bago, the governor of Niger State, praised the arrest as a “major victory” in the battle against insecurity.
The governor declared, “In an intelligence-led operation, the DSS captured Abba alive without any gunfire.” The suspect was then sent to Abuja for further examination.
Even though the operation was praised at the time, recent strikes in Kwara indicate that the Mahmuda group’s remnants are still competent and well-organized.
