On Wednesday, the militants reportedly attacked a vigilante group in Kemanji, killing over 15 members and villagers.
“They call themselves the Mahmuda group. Their leader in a voice note is threatening all the communities. They kill and kidnap victims and also demand ransom,” a local source revealed.
The emergence of Mahmuda adds to Nigeria’s growing list of non-state armed groups occupying ungoverned spaces.
Locals say the group has exploited the unprotected expanse of Kainji Lake National Park, previously a haven for loggers, fishermen, and hunters.
After early clashes with loggers and vigilantes, the militants allegedly reached an agreement with the loggers, who now harvest forest resources in exchange for safe passage and levies—one of several revenue streams sustaining the group.
Residents say the Mahmuda group emerged visibly over five years ago after storming KLNP and displacing 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, where they 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
- Farmers are allocated land by militants in exchange for levies
- Locals are forced to work on militant-owned farms
- Kidnappings for ransom are rampant
- Militants regulate roadblocks, alcohol sales, smoking, and even local disputes
- Herbalists are threatened if suspected of aiding vigilantes
- There are also reports of illegal mining activities linked to the group
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.”
