A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has been killed during an intelligence-led operation in Ondo State.
Ohida was reportedly eliminated alongside several other members of the terrorist group when a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, raided an ISWAP hideout in Owo forest at the weekend.
Security sources said the operation was launched after intelligence indicated that Ohida was planning major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria.
Ohida reportedly became a key figure in ISWAP’s operations across the North-Central and southern parts of the country after his former superior, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Sources said Ohida had served as Ikrimah’s deputy before assuming responsibility for coordinating the group’s activities in the region.
Intelligence reportedly obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped security agencies uncover Ohida’s alleged plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide period.
One of the sources said intelligence on the planned attacks was subsequently corroborated by security partners in the United Kingdom, who supported the operation that led to Ohida’s elimination.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections. This intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” the source said.
The deceased ISWAP commander was also linked to several attacks on security formations and military targets across North-Central Nigeria.
Among them was the December 31, 2025, attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, during which the attackers reportedly seized eight AK-47 rifles before destroying the station with explosives.
Ohida was also allegedly responsible for the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, where soldiers, security personnel and civilians were reportedly killed.
Other attacks attributed to him included the July 11, 2022, assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the April 23, 2022, attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers, and the February 7, 2022, attack on the Okene Area Command police station.
The sources further alleged that Ohida planned and executed the December 24, 2020, attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, in which two naval officers were killed.
A security source described Ohida’s death as a major setback to ISWAP’s efforts to strengthen its presence outside the North-East.
“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, is a very big blow to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria and underscores the growing efficiency of our security services,” the source said.
The latest operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership structure and operational networks in the North-Central and southern parts of the country, particularly its alleged plans to establish and expand terrorist cells in the region.
