New Militant Group, Mahmuda, Emerges in North Central Nigeria, Leaving a Trail of Death and Destruction
A new terrorist faction, Mahmuda, has seized control of rural communities around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), spanning parts of Kwara and Niger states. The group has been terrorizing local residents, leaving a deadly impact on communities such as Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, and Nanu in Kwara, and Babana and Wawa in Niger.
In a chilling attack on Wednesday, the Mahmuda militants ambushed a vigilante group in Kemanji, resulting in the deaths of over 15 members. Sources indicate the group operates with impunity, killing, kidnapping, and demanding ransom from terrified locals.
According to local reports, the group, led by an individual named Mahmuda, has been active for over five years. They initially clashed with loggers and vigilantes in the Kainji Lake National Park before reaching an agreement with the loggers, who now pay levies in exchange for safe passage.
The group’s expansion has alarmed residents, who now live in constant fear under their rule. Herder communities are forced to pay zakah (Islamic alms), while farmers are coerced into giving up land in exchange for protection. Locals are even compelled to work on farms owned by the militants, while kidnappings for ransom remain a daily threat.
Mahmuda’s emergence adds to Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with non-state armed groups exploiting ungoverned areas. Some locals suspect the group has connections with militant cells from the Benin or Niger Republic, while others believe it may be a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. Their leader, who identifies with Sunni Islam, has made it clear in recent recordings that the group’s primary objective is to advance their cause through violent means.
As the situation in North Central Nigeria deteriorates, the Mahmuda group’s increasing dominance serves as a grim reminder of the growing insecurity and the need for stronger governance and intervention in the region.
