Mahmuda Terrorists Resume Attacks, Kill Three in Kwara Community

A new terrorist group known as Mahmuda has launched a fresh attack on Duruma village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, resulting in the deaths of three residents. The assault occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, marking a resurgence of violence in the region.

Local sources report that the attackers exploited a security gap created by the absence of local hunters, who were in Ilorin undergoing training for the National Forest Guard, a program recently approved by the presidency to bolster community security. Despite the presence of military personnel in the area, the terrorists managed to carry out the attack and flee before reinforcements arrived.

This incident follows a pattern of escalating violence attributed to the Mahmuda group, which has been active in the North Central region of Nigeria. The group has previously targeted rural communities near Kainji Lake National Park, including areas in Kaiama Local Government Area and Yashikira District.

In April, the Chief of Army Staff visited the affected areas, leading to the deployment of soldiers to the region. During this operation, twelve suspected terrorists were arrested. Additionally, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq provided 25 motorcycles to local hunters to enhance their mobility and support the military’s efforts.

Despite these measures, residents express concern over the persistent threat posed by the Mahmuda group. Many communities, including Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area, as well as villages in Yashikira District, remain vulnerable. There are also reports of the group seizing control of communities in Babana and Wawa Districts in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Efforts to reach the Kwara State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to the spokesperson, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, went unanswered.

The resurgence of attacks by the Mahmuda group underscores the need for sustained and coordinated security efforts to protect vulnerable communities in the region.