Benin Republic Shuts Border With Kwara Communities Over Attacks By New Terror Group Mahmuda, Arms Smuggling – Sources

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Benin Republic Shuts Border With Kwara Communities Over Attacks By New Terror Group Mahmuda, Arms Smuggling – Sources

On Tuesday, May 7, 2025, the President of Benin Republic ordered a total closure of the border route between Taberu, a village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and Tanu, a neighbouring village in Benin Republic.

The Government of the Republic of Benin has shut its borders with some communities in Nigeria’s Kwara State over alleged arms smuggling and the emergence of a new terror group known as “Mahmuda.”

SaharaReporters gathered that on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, the President of Benin Republic ordered a total closure of the border route between Taberu, a village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and Tanu, a neighbouring village in Benin Republic.

A local security personnel confirmed the development, stating, “The President of Benin Republic yesterday on the 7th of May 2025, closed the borders between certain villages, Taberu in Nigeria’s Baruten Local Government Area (in Kwara State) and Tanlu in Benin Republic, restricting the movement of goods and services.”

A viral video recorded by an unidentified source alleged that the closure followed intelligence on frequent illegal importation of arms and ammunition from Benin into Nigeria, especially via the air route from Parakou, the capital of Borgou Department in Benin.

“Most at times, some people normally bring in arms and ammunition from Parakou. Parakou is the capital of Borgu state in Benin Republic. That is our state in Benin. We have a whole state. It is a business era,” the narrator said in the video.

The source added that while helicopters deliver the weapons into Nigerian territory, the exact destinations of the shipments remain unknown.

“They always bring in bullets, arms and ammunition via helicopters from Parakou. But we don’t use to know where these arms go after shipping into Nigeria.”

The narrator further stated that some individuals had taken steps to block the border route between Taberu and Tanu, a key path linking Nigeria and Benin Republic.

“We added that the border between Taberu and Benin Republic, the nearest town that you can use to go there is Tanu. Tanu is like a village in Benin Republic. Some people came to block the route. And that is the only road you can use to enter Tanu in Benin Republic from Nigeria. And whoever is coming from Benin Republic can’t also pass too. But he did not say the reason why the path was blocked in the video.”

The closure is believed to be linked to growing fears about the activities of a new militant group known as Mahmuda, which is suspected to be behind a recent rise in cross-border attacks and illegal arms trade in the region.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Customs Service Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, told SaharaReporters, “I will make my findings and get across. I don’t think it is an issue I will jump into conclusion without adequate findings. Thank you and best regards.” 

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