In a dramatic turn of regional security events, the Republic of Benin has sealed its borders with several communities in Nigeria’s Kwara State, citing the rise of a shadowy terror group known as Mahmuda and rampant arms smuggling operations as the catalyst for the decision.
Credible sources told SaharaReporters that on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, the Beninese President issued a directive for the immediate closure of the border corridor connecting Taberu—a village in Nigeria’s Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State—and Tanu, its closest neighbor in Benin Republic.
A local security operative, speaking under condition of anonymity, confirmed the border shutdown, saying, “The President of Benin Republic closed the borders yesterday between Taberu in Nigeria and Tanu in Benin. The movement of goods and services has been completely restricted.”
The closure, which has already begun impacting local trade and movement, followed the emergence of disturbing intelligence reports pointing to an alarming pattern of arms trafficking—allegedly orchestrated from Parakou, the capital of Benin’s Borgou Department.
In a viral video making the rounds on social media, a narrator claimed that helicopters frequently ferry weapons from Parakou into Nigerian territory under the radar. “Most times, arms and ammunition come in from Parakou via helicopter. But no one knows exactly where they end up once inside Nigeria. It’s a whole black market network,” the unidentified speaker alleged.
The narrator also suggested that local actors had physically blocked the border route linking Taberu and Tanu, possibly to prevent further trafficking activities. “Some people came to block the only road connecting Tanu from Nigeria. No one explained why, but now, neither side can cross,” he said.
Sources familiar with the matter believe the closure may be connected to rising fears over Mahmuda, a newly emerging militant group suspected of fueling cross-border violence and facilitating arms deals in the region. The group’s sudden appearance and its possible links to wider extremist networks have heightened tensions across West Africa’s porous borderlines.
When contacted for a response, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, told SaharaReporters, “I will make my findings and get back to you. I don’t think this is an issue I can comment on without adequate verification.”
The latest development underscores growing insecurity in border communities and raises serious questions about transnational terrorism, the unchecked flow of illicit arms, and the readiness of regional governments to combat rising extremist threats.
As residents and traders reel from the shock of the abrupt closure, security agencies across both nations are expected to ramp up investigations into the Mahmuda group’s origins and its possible collaborators within and beyond national borders.
PIONEER NEWS 