Kwara Terror Panic Unfounded: ‘Mahmouda’ is a Boko Haram Commander, Not a New Terror Group — Security Sources Clarify
By Safiyat Muhammed | Ilorin, Kwara State
Contrary to alarming reports circulating across social and traditional media suggesting the emergence of a new terrorist organization named ‘Mahmouda’ in Kwara State, credible security intelligence has now clarified that ‘Mahmouda’ is not the name of any new insurgent group.
According to top security sources, Mahmouda is in fact a known Boko Haram commander with a long operational history stretching from Borno and Kaduna to Niger State, and now the forest borders of Kwara State.
From Borno to Kwara: The Trail of Terror
Mahmouda, once a field fighter in Borno State, was later associated with the infamous terrorist kingpin Sadiku in Kaduna, before establishing a base in the Shiroro and Rafi axis of Niger State. There, he merged with remnants of the now-disbanded Darul Salam sect, recruiting dozens of young men and imposing radical ideologies on Fulani herdsmen and surrounding communities.
Intelligence sources now confirm that Mahmouda has relocated southwest, operating within the forest belts between Niger and Kwara States, forging alliances with local bandit networks.
“These are not new actors or a fresh terror group; they are Boko Haram elements extending their operational reach,” a senior intelligence official emphasized.
Background of Denials and Renewed Fears
This clarification comes months after popular counter-terrorism analyst Zagazola Makama raised alarms over terrorist movements toward Kwara. At the time, the Nigerian Police Force dismissed the warnings, labeling them “fear-mongering.” However, the emergence of insurgent activity in Kwara has now triggered public concern and vindicated earlier intelligence assessments.
“What will the Police say now that the very thing they denied has begun to happen?” a high-ranking security officer asked rhetorically during a briefing.
Calls for Immediate Action
Security analysts are now urging urgent action to stop Mahmouda and his fighters from turning Kwara State into another insurgency hotspot. They warn that delayed or reactive responses could allow Boko Haram elements to entrench themselves deeply within the North Central corridor.
Recommended Security Measures
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Enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering in the forest borders between Niger and Kwara
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Deployment of special forces and mobile strike teams
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Community engagement and local intelligence networks
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Border security reinforcement along Kwara’s western and northern flanks
“We are at a critical juncture. If swift action is not taken, Kwara could become another flashpoint like Zamfara or Shiroro,” a counter-insurgency strategist warned.
The presence of Mahmouda is not symbolic of a new organization, but rather a dangerous evolution of Boko Haram’s strategy, as it leverages bandit alliances and regional mobility to evade military pressure in the Northeast.
