New Terrorist Group, Mahmuda, emerges in the North, Kills Over 15

A new terror group, known as Mahmuda, has emerged in the North Central region of Nigeria, wreaking havoc on rural communities, especially around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP). Sources reported that the group has been terrorizing several areas in Kwara and Niger States, including Kaiama Local Government Area (LGA) and Barutein LGA in Kwara, as well as Babana and Wawa Districts in Borgu LGA, Niger State. This group has been notorious for its violent attacks on local residents, including a brutal assault on a vigilante group in Kemanji, Kwara, where over 15 members and villagers were killed.

The Mahmuda group, which refers to itself as a moderate Islamist faction, is believed to have originated from Boko Haram's breakaway faction. The group is now actively recruiting local residents into its ranks and controls a vast territory of approximately 3,970 square kilometers. Their presence has escalated the already growing insecurity in the region, with reports indicating that they have imposed heavy levies on farmers, herders, and residents. The militants also force locals to work on their farms and have been implicated in illegal activities such as mining and smuggling. Community members, living under the militant group's oppressive rule, are often kidnapped for ransom, and any dissent or resistance is swiftly dealt with.

While the Mahmuda group is believed to have emerged after being chased out of other regions, including Mokwa LGA and parts of Kaduna State, their control over the Kainji Lake National Park and its surrounding areas has sparked growing concern. The authorities have yet to fully address the situation, leaving residents to fend for themselves. This is further complicated by the militants' control over essential resources and their ability to influence social activities within the communities, particularly the ban on alcohol and smoking. With the group employing a combination of violence, intimidation, and religious propaganda, they have become a force to be reckoned with in the region, deeply troubling locals who have no choice but to comply with their demands or face grave consequences.