Residents of the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), which includes portions of Kwara and Niger States, are apparently being terrorized by a new terrorist organization called Mahmuda that has taken over rural areas in North Central Nigeria.
According to sources, the organization is currently free to operate in villages in Yashikira District, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, as well as in communities within Kaiama Local Government Area, including Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu. Their presence has been felt in Borgu LGA’s Babana and Wawa Districts in Niger State.
More than 15 members and locals were killed after militants reportedly attacked a vigilante group in Kemanji on Wednesday.
“They identify as the Mahmuda group.” In a spoken message, their leader is endangering every community. They demand money in addition to killing and kidnapping people, according to a local source.
With Mahmuda’s rise, Nigeria’s roster of armed non-state organizations occupying ungoverned areas continues to expand.
According to locals, the organization has taken advantage of the untamed area of Kainji Lake National Park, which was formerly a refuge for hunters, fishers, and loggers.
Following early conflicts with vigilantes and loggers, the militants apparently came to an understanding with the loggers, who now gather forest resources in return for levies and safe passage, one of the group’s many sources of income.
Residents say the Mahmuda group first emerged visibly over five years ago after they stormed KLNP and displaced rangers.
They reportedly migrated from Mokwa LGA after being evicted by former Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who accused them of being linked to Boko Haram. From there, they moved to Welele in Kaiama LGA, were again forced out by security forces, and eventually reappeared—more armed and organised—within the park.
While some locals suspect the group has ties to militant cells from the Benin or Niger Republic, others believe they are a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. A recent audiotape obtained by the community suggests the group identifies as moderate Islamists, fighting for a Sunni cause and referring to themselves as the Mahmuda or Mallam Group, named after their leader.
“The militants mainly speak Hausa,” a source noted. “The saddened reality is that their activities across the 3,970 sq. km park have left residents living under their dictates.
Residents describe a life under militant rule:
Herders must pay zakah to graze cattle
In return for levies, militants give land to farmers.
Locals are compelled to labor on farms owned by militants.
Ransom kidnappings are common.
Roadblocks, alcohol sales, smoking, and even neighborhood conflicts are all governed by militants.
If herbalists are thought to be supporting vigilantes, they face threats.
Additionally, there have been reports of illicit mining operations connected to the gang.
Disguising their operations in religious rhetoric, the militants reportedly hold community preaching sessions, urging loyalty to their rule rather than the Nigerian state. They’ve also established themselves as mediators in disputes, further embedding their control.
Amid fading confidence in government security forces, some vigilante groups are said to have reluctantly cooperated with the militants to rescue kidnapped victims.
“The group was able to force out other bandits from the park area,” one source said. “Their collaborators were kidnapped and ransomed—or killed if found guilty.”
While the origin of their firepower remains unclear, many locals believe that higher authorities are aware of the group’s existence.
“The assumption among the locals is that the militant group present in the National Park is known to the authority above,” a source noted. “Guess time will tell.”
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