Nigeria’s fight against terrorism scored a major victory as the Department of State Services (DSS) captured Abubakar Abba, the feared leader of the Mahmuda terror group.
The group, notorious for terrorising communities around Kainji National Park in Niger State, has long been a threat to both residents and national security.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the breakthrough on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, describing the arrest as “a huge victory for us as a people and as a government.”
According to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Abba was arrested in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area after weeks of surveillance.
He was taken alive and moved to Abuja for further investigation.
“This is one of the most dangerous terror groups in West Africa,” Governor Bago stated.
“Abba was apprehended alive through an intelligence-led operation by the DSS. This success shows the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to truly ending insecurity and promoting the well-being of Nigerians.”
The Mahmuda terror group has been linked to numerous attacks in recent years, disrupting lives and displacing hundreds in Niger State.
Their operations around the vast Kainji National Park made them particularly difficult to track.
However, the DSS operation was carried out without firing a single shot, a move the governor praised as proof of strategic intelligence and precision.
“Look at the appointments in the security services, especially the DSS,” Bago continued.
“It takes a tremendous degree of intelligence and competence to capture a high-profile terrorist like Abba without casualties. 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.”
The arrest also aligns with broader counterterrorism efforts across West Africa, where coordinated intelligence sharing and strategic leadership have begun yielding results.
However, as the investigation continues in Abuja, security officials remain on high alert to prevent retaliatory attacks from remaining members of the Mahmuda group.
Governor Bago’s message to citizens was clear: “This is not just a victory for Niger State; it’s a win for Nigeria. Together, we will end insecurity and restore peace to our land.”
