The infamous Mahmuda terror gang, particularly in Kwara State’s Kaiama–Baruten axis, is still active and deadly, according to locals and security experts, even after the group head was apprehended last year.
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 are blaming the Mahmuda gang, an ISWAP-affiliated group allegedly active in the vicinity of Kainji National Park.
Although military patrols are now present 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.
“The news of their arrest has not changed much here,” he remarked. Although there has been some respite in Kaiama town due to the troops’ patrols, you are not allowed to harvest or do anything else in the bush.
The terrorists are left to reorganize inside the forest as the soldiers conduct their operations and head back to town. For that reason, they continue to launch isolated strikes and vanish.
Terrorists Are Increasingly Violent: Emir, Village Chief
Alhaji Muazu Omar, the Emir of Kaiama, observed that after the Mahmuda gang was suppressed, attacks had grown more violent.
“They have become very violent since the Mahmuda leaders and their boys were recently arrested,” he claimed.
Hussein Mohammed, a village chief, also issued a warning, stating that the commanders who were captured 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, more than 300 of them,” he stated. Despite their best efforts, the security forces are unable to be everywhere. It’s even worse than it was.
Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, a security expert and former director of the Department of State Services (DSS), said that apprehending terrorist leaders by themselves would not resolve the situation.
He argued that poverty, poor governance, and undefended borders continue to be the key culprits and stated, “They should go further to dismantle the groups completely.”
“Insecurity flourishes when people lack livelihoods, food, and healthcare, and farmers cannot access markets,” he continued. If the government doesn’t address human security, the issue will continue.
He bemoaned the demise of intelligence networks, claiming that a lack of support for informants has damaged community-based information sharing.
According to Suleiman, “We had an Information Fund (IF) during our time.” We provided financial support to informants, assisted their children with school admissions, and even engaged in social interactions with them. There is minimal or nonexistent motivation today.
Consider the 1.5 million applications that were submitted nationwide for the most recent Immigration and Correctional Service recruiting. However, two local governments in Kwara cannot be adequately covered by 500,000 officers.
Suleiman demanded that Nigeria’s security structure be completely redesigned.
We won’t get very far using the existing template. “The government needs to wake up,” he continued.
“Those riding hundreds of motorbikes into communities are not ghosts,” Suleiman continued. People are observing them as they go through villages.
Mahmuda’s leader was arrested by DSS last year.
Abubakar Abba, a suspected 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 stated, “In an intelligence-led operation, the DSS captured Abba alive without any gunfire.” The suspect was then sent to Abuja for further examination.
Recent attacks in Kwara indicate that the Mahmuda group’s remnants are still capable and well-organized, despite the operation’s celebration at the time.
