A terrorist group known as “Mahmuda” has allegedly stormed Kiama local government in Kwara State, killing and kidnapping residents into the thick forest.
The state police command, however, denied the report, describing it as fake and untrue.
It was gathered that apart from Kaiama, reports said that the terrorist group also perpetuated their heinous acts in Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku and Nanu.
According to information, the outlaw group said they also operated in Yashikira District in Baruten LGA and Borgu LGA in the neighbouring Niger State.
A resident who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the terrorists have their base in the thick forest, from where they strike their targets.
“They have indeed killed and kidnapped several residents,” he said.
Recall that the state government last year drafted soldiers from Sobi barracks, Ilorin, to flush the terrorists out of the thick forest.
The source added that the soldiers spent four weeks after which they returned to their base in Ilorin, but shortly after that, members of the terrorist group resurfaced in the thick forest in Kaiama, but local hunters were promptly mobilised to contain their nefarious activities,” he stated.
But the state Police command, in a swift reaction, refuted the recent publication alleging the emergence of a terror group named Mahmuda within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
According to the statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, Police comprehensive and continuous assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in these areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity.
The Police claimed that the report of 15 vigilantes being killed is entirely false.
The state Police Command also assured the public that all security formations within Kwara State remain proactive and are strategically deployed under a multi-agency operational framework involving the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with other sister security agencies.
“No breach of internal security has been reported or observed in the aforementioned communities.
“Furthermore, our community engagement structures, including Vigilante Commanders and District Heads, have not relayed any such incidents, which confirms this publication to be misleading and inciting.”
“While we recognise the volatile nature of cross-border movements around the Kainji Lake National Park, the Kwara State Police Command has maintained effective situational control across all border communities.
“We urge members of the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of generating unnecessary panic.” the statement reads
