In recent days, a wave of concern has swept through parts of Kwara State following reports of a fresh attack on Duruma village, also known as Karonji, allegedly carried out by a newly emerged terrorist group named Mahmuda. According to eyewitnesses and early reports, the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic and casualties. This group, believed to operate around the Kainji Lake National Park — a region straddling parts of Kwara and Niger States — has also been linked to previous violent assaults, including the killing of over 15 vigilantes and civilians in Kemanji, Kaiama Local Government Area.
The Mahmuda group, reportedly led by Mall. Mahmuda, is described as a fast-growing threat engaged in mass killings, kidnappings for ransom, and skirmishes with local security outfits. Intelligence sources have raised alarms over its growing footprint in North-Central Nigeria, with implications for regional security.
However, in sharp contrast to these reports, the Kwara State Police Command has firmly dismissed the alleged presence of the group within the state. In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police declared that their intelligence assessments show no signs of insurgent activity in Baruten or Kaiama LGAs. The command also refuted the claim that 15 vigilantes were killed, insisting that no such incidents have been confirmed by local authorities or community leaders.
While acknowledging the sensitive nature of security in border areas, the police stressed that there is no factual basis for the claim of a coordinated terror group operating in Kwara. They urged residents to avoid spreading panic-inducing misinformation and to rely on verified sources for security updates.
This situation presents a stark divide between field reports and official narratives, raising urgent questions about the real security status of rural Kwara communities and the credibility of early warning systems. As tension simmers, what remains clear is the need for transparent investigations, community engagement, and accurate intelligence-sharing to ensure that both fear and falsehoods do not overshadow the true state of security in the region.
