Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has praised President Bola Tinubu after the capture of Abubakar Abba, the notorious leader of the Mahmuda terror group, by the Department of State Services, DSS, in what security experts describe as one of the most significant counter-terrorism victories in recent years.
The 33-year-old terror kingpin was apprehended alive in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, through what officials described as a precision intelligence-led operation that required weeks of surveillance. The operation was conducted without firing a single shot, demonstrating the sophistication of Nigeria’s evolving counter-terrorism capabilities.
Niger State, with a vast landmass, has been at the epicentre of the country’s escalating security crisis for over a decade. The state has grappled with multiple threats including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, earning the unfortunate distinction of being among the worst-hit states by terrorist activities in Nigeria.
The security challenges intensified significantly around 2018 when various terror groups began migrating southward from Nigeria’s troubled northeast and northwest regions, seeking new operational bases and sources of funding. The vast, sparsely populated terrain of Niger State, combined with its strategic location bordering Benin Republic and sharing boundaries with several other Nigerian states, made it an attractive haven for criminal elements.
Governor Bago, who assumed office in May 2023, inherited a state where entire communities had been displaced, economic activities severely disrupted, and thousands of lives lost to terrorist activities. His administration has consistently called for increased federal support, describing the state as being “among the worst hit by terrorism attacks.”
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Credible News reports that the Mahmuda terror group, also known as the Mallam Group, emerged as one of the most dangerous security threats in north-central Nigeria over the past five years. Originally a breakaway faction of the notorious Boko Haram, the group is believed to have established connections with terror organizations in Mali and Niger Republic, making it part of a broader West African jihadist network.
Under Abubakar Abba’s leadership, Mahmuda established its operational base in the sprawling Kainji Lake National Park, a 5,300-square-kilometer protected area that straddles Niger and Kwara states. The group violently displaced park guards and transformed the conservation area into a fortress from which it launched devastating attacks on surrounding communities.
The terror group’s modus operandi included sophisticated recruitment strategies, using moderate Islamic preaching in local languages like Hausa to win hearts and minds while gradually building a network of local fighters and informants. Security sources reveal that Mahmuda generated revenue through multiple streams including kidnapping for ransom, charging illegal “park dues” to herders, imposing levies on farmers, and forcing local communities to work on their farms as “sadaka” (Islamic almsgiving).
In recent months, Mahmuda had escalated its activities, with deadly attacks recorded across Kwara and Niger states. Notable incidents include the April 20 attack on a Kwara market that left six people dead, including four Fulani men who were shot at close range, and the April 16 massacre of 15 vigilante members in Kemanji village.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Bologi, Governor Bago confirmed the arrest and provided insight into the operation’s significance. “It takes a tremendous degree of intelligence and competence to, without firing a single shot, capture a high-profile terrorist like Abba,” the governor noted, praising the DSS for its covert approach.
Security sources familiar with the operation hinted that the DSS had been conducting weeks of surveillance on Mahmuda’s movements. The terror leader, who is married to two wives and hails from Daura in Katsina State, was reportedly visiting one of his numerous traditional healers when he was captured.
Abba’s Metamorphosis
Prior to his terrorist activities, Abba had worked as a vendor selling audio and video recordings of Islamic preachers, including materials by Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram. His journey into terrorism saw him initially join Boko Haram, then switch allegiance to Ansaru, before eventually founding his own group.
His capture has brought immense relief to communities that have lived under the shadow of Mahmuda’s terror for years. Local chiefs in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State expressed gratitude, with one stating, “We are happy with what the DSS has done for us and with such covertness. These terrorists have been a source of headache in our communities.”
Governor Bago himself described the arrest as “a huge victory for us as a people and as a government,” emphasizing that it demonstrates President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to ending insecurity in Nigeria. The governor particularly commended the president’s strategic appointments in the security services, especially within the DSS.
“Look at the appointments in the security services, especially the DSS. This success shows that where there is a will, there is a way. Mr. President has consistently shown that willpower, and that’s why we are recording such successes,” Governor Bago stated.
The successful capture of Abba comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s broader security challenges, with the country losing at least 91,740 citizens to various forms of insecurity between 2011 and 2024, according to data compiled by the Daily Trust newspaper across 14,779 recorded incidents.
Niger State alone has witnessed numerous terrorist groups operating within its borders, including remnants of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Ansaru, and the recently emerged Lakurawa group. These organizations have exploited the state’s vast ungoverned spaces and porous borders to establish camps and launch attacks.
The Kainji Lake National Park, where Mahmuda established its headquarters, represents a microcosm of Nigeria’s conservation and security challenges. What should be a thriving ecosystem supporting tourism and biodiversity has instead become a base for illegal activities including terrorism, banditry, and illegal mining.
Governor Bago Appreciates
Governor Bago has pledged continued collaboration with federal authorities and security agencies to eliminate terrorism from Niger State and Nigeria at large. His administration has been working to complement federal security efforts through various initiatives, including support for military operations and community engagement programs.
The governor has consistently advocated for increased military presence in the state, recently calling on the Nigerian Air Force to deploy more fighter aircraft to combat terrorism effectively. His administration has also invested in security infrastructure and maintained close coordination with neighbouring states to address cross-border security challenges.
President Tinubu’s security strategy, which appears to emphasize intelligence-led operations over purely kinetic approaches, is showing results with several high-profile captures and neutralizations of terrorist leaders across the country in recent months.
As Abba is moved to Abuja for further interrogation, security agencies will likely focus on extracting intelligence about Mahmuda’s network, funding sources, and planned operations. This information could prove crucial in preventing future attacks and dismantling what remains of the organization.
For residents of communities around Kainji Lake National Park who have endured years of fear and displacement, Abba’s capture offers hope that normalcy might finally return to their ancestral lands. The success also sends a strong message to other terrorist groups operating in Nigeria that sophisticated intelligence operations are closing in on their leadership.
The operation’s success underscores the importance of sustained political will, adequate funding for security agencies, and the strategic value of intelligence-led approaches in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.
Crediblenewsng.com
