Members of a new terrorist group known as Mahmuda are reportedly planning a covert escape from Nigeria into the Benin Republic through border communities in Kwara State, amid increased military pressure in the country’s northwest.
An exclusive audio recording obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday morning reveals a developing security threat in the Baruteen Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A security source, familiar with the unfolding situation, raised an alarm over the group’s movement and called for urgent government intervention.
The source said, “Intelligence reaching me indicates that the Mahmuda terrorist group, due to the actions they perceive are about to be taken against them, are planning to flee into the Benin Republic.
“Unfortunately for them, the route they initially used to pass into the northwestern part of Nigeria through Kosubosu, Kaiama, Wawa, and Gwarapa, including other areas leading to Yauri, is no longer accessible. Security forces are now combat-ready in those zones.”
He continued with a direct message to local leaders and government authorities.
“This is a call to all district heads in these border communities to instruct their local vigilantes to be on high alert. The governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, must urgently rally security agencies within the state,” the source said.
“The Chief of Army Staff, the Commander of Sobi Barracks in Ilorin, and all other relevant security agencies must take swift action. If border areas such as Gwanara, Tabira, and others are effectively blocked, these terrorists will have no escape route.”
The source also emphasised the role of community-based security and forest patrol units.
“Forest guards can also take decisive action. This intelligence is coming from the Baruteen axis. The group wants to exit Nigeria using border corridors around Tabira and Gwanara, which are directly linked to the Benin Republic,” the source said.
“The government must act now. Once they cross the border, it becomes difficult to trace them.”
He explained that the group’s escape plan stems from their realisation that movement from the North Central region through Kaiama to the North West has been completely blocked.
“They want to flee to the Benin Republic because it’s no longer possible for them to use the usual North Central-to-North West corridor,” the source said.
This comes barely three days after the group launched a deadly attack at Ilesha Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The terrorists, heavily armed and dressed in military camouflage, launched the deadly attack after Isha prayer on Monday.
The assailants, according to eyewitnesses, stormed the town through the highway that links the town to the state capital on motorcycles with several sophisticated weapons.
They were clad in what appeared to be Nigerian Army uniforms, sparking fears of impersonation and raising critical questions about the source of their gear.
In a video, the lifeless bodies of the victims were seen lying in pools of blood, as wailing filled the background.
The gruesome footage captured the aftermath of what residents described as a “terror operation.”
One of the eyewitnesses, Umar Faruq, who narrowly escaped the attack, revealed that the gunmen appeared organised and deliberate in their mission.
“They came in soldier uniforms. At first, we thought they were here for security patrol, but within minutes, they opened fire on innocent people. It was like a war scene. People were screaming, running for their lives,” he recounted.
The traditional titleholder of the area, Turaki of Ilesha Baruba, who also confirmed the incident, condemned the killings and described the attack as a direct assault on the peace and sovereignty of the community.
“This is not just an attack on individuals. It’s a message to us all that we are not safe. Our people are living in fear now. We call on the government to act fast,” he said.