A newly emerged terrorist group known as 'Mahmuda' has launched a fresh attack on Duruma village in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. The assault occurred on Friday evening, with militants arriving on motorcycles and opening fire indiscriminately upon arrival.
During the attack, the assailants set ablaze a vehicle and several motorcycles belonging to the local vigilante group. However, the community's security operatives managed to repel the attackers, reportedly killing two of the militants in the process.
This incident is part of a series of violent activities attributed to the Mahmuda group, which has been terrorizing rural communities around the Kainji Lake National Park. Affected areas include Kaiama Local Government Area—specifically Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu—and Baruten Local Government Area, encompassing villages in the Yashikira District. The group has also reportedly taken over communities in Babana and Wawa Districts in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources indicate that the Mahmuda group, believed to be a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has been operating in the region for over five years. They initially occupied the Kainji Lake National Park after being expelled from Mokwa Local Government Area by former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu. The militants have since used the ungoverned spaces within the park to establish a base, engaging in activities such as kidnapping, extortion, and illegal logging.
The recent uptick in attacks has raised concerns among residents and security agencies about the group's growing influence and the challenges in securing remote areas. Authorities are urged to intensify efforts to dismantle the Mahmuda group's operations and restore peace to the affected communities.