News
Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader
Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader
By: Zagazola Makama
There is a wave of cautious celebration in some border communities of Kwara and Niger States following speculations surrounding the sudden disappearance – and possible capture – of Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, the feared leader of the Mahmuda terror group.
Zagazola Makama report that though no official statement has been released, residents in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara and parts of Borgu in Niger are gripped by growing belief that the Department of State Services (DSS) may have captured the notorious terrorist commander in a covert operation over the weekend.
The Mahmuda group, a violent breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has for over five years launched repeated attacks on farming communities in the Kainji Lake axis, displacing villagers, levying communities, and terrorising border settlements across Nigeria’s northwest.
However, the absence of Mahmuda’s voice often sent in Hausa audio messages demanding protection levies or issuing threats has sparked renewed hope among locals.
A village elder in Baruten, who spoke under anonymity, said the mood in his community has been quietly jubilant since Saturday.
“We have not heard Mahmuda’s voice, and none of his men knows his whereabouts,” he said. “The rumour is that DSS tracked him to one of his spiritualists and captured him alive. If this is true, then it is a big victory for all of us.”
According to him, the villagers strongly believe only the DSS could have executed such a high-level operation with precision and silence.
“Muna matukar farin ciki da DSS akan wannan falala da suka yi cikin sirri,” he said in Hausa, which loosely translates to: “We are very happy with what the DSS has done for us, and with such secrecy. These terrorists have been a source of severe headache for us.”
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for allegedly responding to their long-standing cries for intervention.
Also speaking, the leader of a cattle market in the area expressed relief, saying his community had been under constant threat and economic hardship due to Mahmuda’s activities.
“Muna godiya ga Allah da wannan babban nasara,” he said. “We thank God for this great victory. We were living in fear, and now we can breathe. Thanks to the President and those carrying out these secret operations.”
Mahmuda, 33, is originally from Daura in Katsina State. Independent security sources told Zagazola that he once made a living selling Islamic tapes and recordings of radical clerics, including Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.
He reportedly joined Boko Haram in its early years but later switched to Ansaru, before forming the Mahmuda faction around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) region, a forested area of over 5,300 square kilometres – larger than Anambra State.
It is believe the group built alliances with terrorist cells in Mali and Niger Republic, drawing logistical and ideological support from regional jihadist networks.
In recent months, Mahmuda’s fighters had grown bolder, storming villages in broad daylight, collecting levies, and sacking entire communities. His audio threats had become a source of dread across the border communities.
A security source familiar with recent operations confirmed to Zagazola that the DSS had been quietly executing intelligence-led missions targeting high-profile terrorist leaders.
“Though details of Mahmuda’s disappearance remain sketchy, what’s not in doubt is that DSS operations in the North have become more surgical and efficient under the current leadership,” the source said.
As of Wednesday, security personnel across Kwara and Niger States remained on high alert, even as community leaders urged continued vigilance amid hopes that the group may fracture in the absence of its central command figure.
While the DSS has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the atmosphere in Baruten and parts of Niger points to a rare moment of cautious optimism – the kind that only comes when a long-feared enemy seemingly vanishes without a trace.
Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
By: Our Reporter
Judge bars him from inciting public, undermining national security
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for alleged cybercrimes, with the court barring him from further making statements that are detrimental to the peace and security of the country.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, threatened to revoke the bail granted Sowore’ should he ever make such statements. The arraignment came after two previous attempts, with the politician’s lawyer introducing what the DSS lawyer, Akinolu Kehinde SAN, called legal obstacles.
On Tuesday, however, Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.
The ruling was on a bail application argued by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, shortly after Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge, in which he is accused of defaming President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in his posts on X and Facebook.
When the charge, being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, is accused of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal
The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.
Details shortly.
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
News
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have carried out a series of coordinated attacks across parts of Zamfara State, killing one person and abducting several others in Zurmi and Bungudu Local Government Areas, security sources have confirmed.
In the first incident, bandits invaded Tungar Tsamiya village in Moriki District of Zurmi LGA at about 10:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, shooting dead one resident and abducting 10 others.
Security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims.
Barely hours later, on Monday morning, another group of bandits attacked Doguwar Gona forest in the same Moriki District.
The assailants abducted 17 men and women who were in the area fetching firewood. Security personnel are tracking the movement of the attackers with the aim of rescuing the captives.
In a separate incident in Bungudu LGA, gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed Makwa village in Kurar Mota District at about 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 1 and abducted an unconfirmed number of residents.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and police operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, have intensified efforts to rescue all abducted victims and restore calm across the affected communities.
Search operations are ongoing.
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday paid a sympathy visit to the Bishop of Kontagora, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, following the recent abduction of students of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The NSA, who arrived Kontagora by helicopter at about noon, was accompanied by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Tony Ajayi; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and senior officials from the Office of the NSA.
Ribadu and his entourage proceeded to the office of the Bishop at St. Michael Church, where they met with representatives of families of the abducted students, the school principal, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States, Bishop Joseph Hayap.
During the meeting, the NSA assured the community that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and staff.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending attacks on schools and ensuring the safety of students across the country.
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
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