Mahmuda Terrorists Strike Again in Kwara: Resident Killed

[Alabi Gideon]

Mahmuda Terrorists Strike Again in Kwara: Resident Killed, Others Feared Abducted

Terror returned to Kemanji Village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State as suspected members of the Mahmuda terrorist group launched a deadly attack in the early hours of Monday. The assailants slaughtered one resident and reportedly abducted several others, though the exact number of victims remains unconfirmed.

A local source who spoke to SaharaReporters described the scene as one of chaos and fear, with gunmen storming the quiet rural village, unleashing terror on the unsuspecting population.

 

This incident adds to a disturbing pattern of escalating violence across Kwara North and South Senatorial Districts, where communities in Kaiama, Edu, Baruten, Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Ekiti local government areas have faced repeated attacks, killings, and rampant abductions in recent months.

Despite mounting public concern, Kwara State Police Command spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi did not respond to multiple calls and messages from SaharaReporters as of the time this report was filed.

A Growing Insurgency in the Shadows
On June 30, 2025, SaharaReporters exclusively reported the rise of the Mahmuda sect—a militant group bent on establishing an independent Islamic government within the forest regions of Kwara State. The group is reportedly enforcing its own laws, collecting Zakat (Islamic tax), allocating land, and exerting full control over forest communities, particularly within the Kainji Lake National Park corridor.

In an interview with SaharaReporters, Emir of Yashikira, His Royal Highness Amb. (Dr.) Alhaji Umar Sariki Usman (Sabikpassi II), expressed grave concern about the group’s activities.

“They are forming their own government in the forest,” he said. “When you enter their area, you are expected to obey their laws, pay their tax, and even get land from them.”
He added that while attacks had reduced temporarily, the group is far from eliminated.

“They may appear to have gone silent, but they haven’t disappeared. They still operate secretly, and the danger remains.”

A Trail of Terror
The Mahmuda group has been linked to several deadly operations, including the killing of over 15 vigilantes and villagers in a brutal ambush in Kemanji. Reports say their leader has issued voice threats to entire communities, instilling fear and demanding ransoms from abducted victims.

The sect is believed to operate across Kwara, Niger, and parts of Kebbi State, particularly in forested zones around Kainji Lake National Park, a vast and poorly governed region that has become a haven for armed militants.

In Niger State, communities like Babana and Wawa Districts in Borgu Local Government Area have also fallen under the group’s control.

The Militants and the Forest Economy
Sources reveal that loggers, fishermen, and timber merchants in the unguarded forest zones have begun cooperating with the Mahmuda fighters, striking deals to gain access to natural resources in exchange for payments.

“Initially there were clashes between the militants and economic actors,” one insider said. “But over time, the militants began profiting from logging activities, collecting fees and establishing control over who enters the forest.”

National Security at Risk
The rise of the Mahmuda sect underscores a deepening national security crisis, as ungoverned spaces across Nigeria become strongholds for armed groups. The collapse of law enforcement in remote areas, coupled with economic desperation, is fueling a dangerous alliance between militants and civilians, allowing insurgent groups to thrive.

“New terror groups continue to emerge in Nigeria’s rural spaces,” said a security analyst. “And unless urgent action is taken, these groups will entrench themselves and make recovery even harder.”

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