Arrest of Suspected Terror Leader Does Not End Kwara Violence — Locals

The infamous Mahmuda terror gang is still active and lethal, particularly in the Kaiama–Baruten axis of Kwara State, according to locals and security experts, despite the group leader’s well-publicized arrest last year.

The recent slaughter 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 faction that is allegedly active in the vicinity of Kainji National Park.

According to a local citizen who talked to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, military patrols are now present in Kaiama town, but they hardly ever go deep into the forests where terrorists operate.

“Not much has changed here since the news of their arrest,” he remarked. Although there is some reprieve in Kaiama town due to the troops’ patrols, you are not allowed to farm or do anything else in the bush.

The terrorists are left to reorganize within the woodland as the soldiers move about and head back to town. They continue to launch isolated strikes and vanish for this reason.

Emir, Village Head: Terrorists Are Now More Violent
Alhaji Muazu Omar, the emir of Kaiama, stated that since the Mahmuda gang was suppressed, attacks had gotten more violent.

“They have become extremely violent since the Mahmuda leaders and their boys were recently arrested,” he claimed.

Hussein Mohammed, the village chief, also cautioned that the leaders who were detained had already trained their replacements, many of whom are currently carrying out lethal operations throughout border towns.

“More than 300 men who have already taken over have been trained by the arrested leaders,” he stated. Although the security forces make an effort, they are unable to be everywhere. The predicament has gotten worse.

Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman, the retired director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and security expert, cautioned that the problem would not be resolved by simply apprehending terror leaders.

He argued that the major causes are still poverty, ineffective administration, and undefended borders, saying, “They should go further to dismantle the groups completely.”

“Insecurity thrives when people lack livelihoods, food, and healthcare, and farmers are unable to access markets,” he continued. Human security is an issue that the government must handle or it will continue to exist.

He bemoaned the breakdown of intelligence networks, claiming that a lack of support for informants has damaged community-based information sharing.

“We had an Information Fund (IF) during our time,” Suleiman said. We gave informants financial support, assisted their children in getting into school, and even interacted with them. There is very little or no motivation these days.

“Recently, 1.5 million people applied countrywide for the Immigration and Correctional Service recruiting. However, two local governments in Kwara cannot be adequately served by even 500,000 officers.

Nigeria’s security infrastructure needs to be completely redesigned, according to Suleiman.

We won’t get very far with the existing template. “The government needs to wake up,” he continued.

“Those who ride hundreds of motorcycles into communities are not ghosts,” Suleiman continued. People watch them as they go through communities.

Last year, the DSS arrested the leader of Mahmuda.
Abubakar Abba, an alleged 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, celebrated the arrest as a “major victory” in the battle against insecurity.

“In an intelligence-led operation, the DSS captured Abba alive without any gunfire,” the governor stated, adding that the suspect was sent to Abuja for further examination.

Recent attacks in Kwara indicate that the Mahmuda group’s remnants are still capable and organized, despite the fact that the operation was praised at the time.