A newly-emerging terror group, known as Mahmuda, has reportedly killed three villagers in a fresh attack on Duruma village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday morning, coincided with the absence of local hunters who were in Ilorin, the state capital, attending a federal training program for the newly established National Forest Guard. The training, approved by the presidency, is aimed at strengthening local security in forested and vulnerable communities.
According to NIGERIA NEWS 247, the victims were killed and immediately buried by community members. The assault occurred despite the presence of Nigerian Army personnel previously deployed to flashpoint areas in the region. 
It will be recalled that in April, the Chief of Army Staff visited the area, after which soldiers were stationed in the surrounding forests. Their mission: to dislodge the growing terrorist presence. During that operation, 12 suspected militants were arrested.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also visited the affected communities and provided 25 motorcycles to local hunters to assist in joint patrols with the military.
However, sources in the community revealed that the Mahmuda group never completely vacated the region but remained subdued due to the joint efforts of soldiers and armed local hunters.
A resident of Baruten, speaking anonymously, said: “Our local hunters are in Ilorin for training on weapons handling to strengthen the fight against these terrorists. The Mahmuda group noticed their absence and launched an attack, killing three villagers. When soldiers eventually arrived, they fired warning shots, and the attackers fled.”
The source further disclosed that a week earlier, the group had also torched a local farm settlement. Other communities reportedly under threat or partial control of the group include Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area, as well as several villages in the Yashikira District of Baruten LGA.
Another resident warned: “Our village, Kemanji, is now under terrorist control. They haven’t entered Kaiama town yet, but that’s how it started in Sokoto and Kebbi. Kemanji is only 10 kilometres away from Kaiama.”
In addition to the attacks in Kwara, multiple sources confirmed that the Mahmuda group has seized control of villages in Babana and Wawa Districts in Borgu Local Government Area of neighboring Niger State, raising alarm about the expanding footprint of the group near Kainji Lake National Park.
Efforts to reach the Kwara State Police spokesperson, SP Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, for official comments were unsuccessful as of the time of reporting.
