Residents of border communities in Kwara and Niger States are quietly celebrating following the speculated disappearance of Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, leader of Mahmuda, currently regarded as Nigeria’s most feared terror group.
Villagers in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, which has suffered repeated attacks by Mahmuda terrorists, said the group’s leader was believed to have vanished over the weekend. According to them, none of his commanders have been able to explain his sudden and embarrassing disappearance.
Speculation among the villagers suggests that the Department of State Services (DSS) may have covertly captured Mahmuda while he was visiting one of his many witchdoctors. The villagers claimed he was taken alive and moved to a secret location by DSS operatives. They believe this accounts for his sudden disappearance, which has reportedly thrown his terror group into confusion.
The DSS has not commented on Mahmuda’s whereabouts, in line with its new leadership’s pledge to operate with greater secrecy.
A local chief in Baruten said the community was pleased with what the DSS had done with such covertness. “These terrorists have been a source of headache in our communities. We are thankful to President Tinubu for responding to our cries for help,” he said.
A leader of a nearby cattle market expressed similar relief, saying, “We thank the Almighty God for this great victory. We used to live in great fear. Happily, we would no longer live in fear, thanks to President Bola Tinubu.”
Mahmuda, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, is said to have links with terror groups in Mali and Niger Republic. The group moved into Niger State over five years ago after dislodging guards at the Kainji Lake National Park, which spans more than 5,300 square kilometres.
In recent months, Mahmuda terrorists have been responsible for kidnappings, killings, and the sacking of entire communities in Kwara and Niger States. Mahmuda himself reportedly sent voice notes in Hausa, demanding levies from villagers in exchange for protection.
Independent security sources described the 33-year-old as a Hausa man from Daura, Katsina State, who previously sold recordings of Islamic clerics, including Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf. He initially joined Boko Haram, later aligned with Ansaru, and eventually founded Mahmuda.
As of Wednesday morning, details surrounding his possible arrest remained unclear, though sources confirmed ongoing intelligence-led operations by the DSS in northern Nigeria.
