Concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attack by a terror group known as “Mahmuda,” which is allegedly occupying parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State, according to the emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“The situation is that we are totally demoralised, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains,” Seriki bemoaned in an exclusive interview with The Intercept on Sunday in response to the development.
“We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice but to continue to defend ourselves.
“It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight.”
The traditional ruler claims that the attacks are occurring in Borgu Kingdom in Niger State as well as the local governments of Baruten and Kaiama in Kwara state.
While confirming the terrorist strikes from last week, Seriki revealed that the terrorists had blasted the security truck that the people had purchased for the vigilantes’ activities.
“We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks, though some suffered some bruises.
“The casualties we suffered were not 15, but we suffered some casualties, and the terrorists also suffered some casualties.
“So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing,” he added.
The Intercept recalls that the Kwara State Police Command last week refuted alleged emergence of a terror group named ‘Mahmuda’ within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state.
Additionally, the command vehemently denied the allegation that the terror organisation had slain 15 vigilantes, calling it untrue and without any supporting evidence.
Comprehensive and ongoing threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the aforementioned areas have not produced any evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described, according to a statement released in Ilorin on Saturday by SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command spokesperson.
“The claim of 15 vigilantes being killed is entirely false and devoid of any factual basis,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies are part of a multi-agency operating structure that ensures all security formations in Kwara State are strategically positioned and stay proactive, the police command told the public.
In addition to stating that “our community engagement structures, including Vigilante Commanders and District Heads, have not relayed any such incidents,” the command claimed that no breaches of internal security had been reported or seen in the aforementioned communities, confirming some published reports that were false and provocative.
“While we recognize 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 Kwara Police Command under the leadership of CP Adekimi Ojo, remains committed to safeguarding lives and property and encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity through official channels for prompt response,” the statement added.
