A previously unknown terror group named Mahmuda has emerged in Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara State, instilling fear among residents, Weekend Trust has reported.

Locals claim the group has been launching attacks on communities near the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), disrupting peace in the region.

Some of the affected communities, it was gathered last night, include some villages in Yashikira district of Baruten and Kemaanji, Wajibe and Nuku, among others in Kaiama.

Their activities also extend to Babana and Wawa district in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, it was further learnt.

Residents who confirmed the development last night expressed concern and described it as a major threat to food security. They called for concerted efforts by the government and security agencies to arrest the problem before it snowballs into many security issues.

According to a former lawmaker from one of the affected villages who didn't want his name in print, a recent voice note from the leader of the group threatening the people to stay away from the farms has been a major concern to most residents of the agrarian communities, who are mostly farmers.

"The group has occupied the place for some months now and is in control of all the activities in the area. They control all the trading and business activities in that area, from farming, logging, fishing and trade because the route also links Benin Republic.

"They allowed the locals to carry out all these activities after there was an agreement for the payment of certain amounts, which they invested in sophisticated weapons.

"The group attacked our vigilantes and hunters, killing more than 10 people in the process, with the latest incident on Tuesday," the former lawmaker said.

Another resident of Kaima, Mr Muhammad Ahmed, described their latest action as a reprisal attack.

He said the military recently launched aerial attacks on their settlement, killing scores of them.

"That action infuriated them to attack the local hunters and vigilantes, and warned residents to avoid their farms for allegedly acting as informants to the security agencies," he added.

Several calls to the police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi last night seeking her reaction were not answered.

But a few weeks ago, the command had dismissed reports that some bandits fleeing Zamfara State settled in Bani community of Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

The reaction was to report the claim that top commanders of the bandits in Zamfara State allegedly relocated to Kwara State following the sustained onslaught against them by the Nigerian Army.

The report by an online newspaper stated that sources with knowledge of the situation informed a security expert, Zagazola Makama, that a detained militant arrested in Kaima community by vigilante forces provided critical intelligence regarding the group's latest movements and operational structure.

The report emphasized the urgency of enhanced surveillance and expanded counterterrorism operations beyond Zamfara borders.

But the spokesperson of the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement, described the claim as false and misleading

"There is no intelligence or operational report to support the presence of armed bandits in Bani or anywhere in Kwara.

"The Kwara police command, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains vigilant and has intensified surveillance across the state to prevent any security breach.

"The command categorically debunks this claim as false, misleading, with the intent of mischief makers to cause unnecessary panic among residents in the state

"The commissioner of police assures residents that Kwara remains safe and the police are fully prepared to respond to any security threats," the statement noted.

She said the CP urged the public to disregard such unverified reports and avoid spreading misinformation.