Top 5 Facts About the Mahmuda Terrorist Group By Tahir Ahmad
Last month, the Mahmuda terrorist group emerged as a dangerous new threat in Nigeria’s security landscape.
Operating from the forests surrounding Kainji Lake National Park, Niger State, the group has rapidly escalated violence in Kaiama, Baruten, and Borgu – in Niger and Kwara States -, displacing locals and disrupting the region’s economy.
Initially tolerated for providing protection, the group turned hostile after conflicts with local vigilantes and military forces.
Led by Mahmuda Sani, the group traces its roots to Darul Salam, a radical sect founded in the 1990s. Though initially focusing on local security, the group has now evolved into a violent insurgency, resembling Boko Haram, ISWAP, and ANSARU.
With potential links to regional terrorist networks, Mahmuda poses a serious domestic and regional threat.
1. Mahmuda Has Operated Quietly for Years
Though recently gaining national attention, Mahmuda has existed in the Kainji Lake area for at least five years. Initially, the group gained local support by providing security and managing access to farmland, fishing zones, and logging paths, until tensions escalated into violence.
2. The Group’s Ideology Is Rooted in Darul Salam
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Mahmuda’s ideology originates from Darul Salam, a radical sect that aimed to establish an isolated Islamic commune. Following a government crackdown, splintered factions evolved, some joining Boko Haram, and others forming the current Mahmuda group.
3. Mahmuda Was Once a “Community Partner”
Before resorting to violence, Mahmuda played a quasi-governance role, managing local disputes and redistributing seized goods to compensate victims of banditry. Their approach allowed them to blend into the community until they declared war over perceived betrayal.
4. Their Turn to Violence Was Calculated
The group’s shift to violence was deliberate. Mahmuda’s audio message justified their insurgency as a response to local cooperation with the military, marking their transition from indirect control to open conflict with targeted attacks and mass displacement.
5. They Could Be a Gateway for Regional Terror Networks
Reports suggest Mahmuda may have ties to cross-border terror groups, with fighters reportedly arriving from Benin Republic. Given the region’s porous borders and proximity to ISWAP, Mahmuda could become a strategic base for Sahelian extremists.
Mahmuda represents a growing insurgency rooted in ideology and strategic violence. If left unchecked, it could evolve into a major regional threat.
