A joint team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, has killed a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo forest, Ondo State.
The intelligence-led operation took place at the weekend, according to security sources.
The sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, was allegedly preparing large-scale attacks in some southern states when security forces stormed his forest hideout in a surprise raid. Several other members of the group were reportedly killed in the operation.
Rise through ISWAP ranks
According to the sources, Ohida had served as deputy to ISWAP’s Central Nigeria leader, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
After Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida reportedly took over ISWAP’s activities in parts of the North Central and southern regions, where he allegedly played a key role in planning, coordinating and carrying out attacks.
The sources said intelligence obtained from interrogating Abu Uwais enabled the DSS to uncover Ohida’s plan to attack civilians during the coming Yuletide season.
“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 operation,” one of the sources said.
Attacks linked to Ohida
The source alleged that Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025 invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, during which eight AK-47 rifles were carted away before the building was blown up with explosives.
He was also linked to the following attacks:
- July 28, 2022: attack on a military checkpoint on Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State, in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed
- July 11, 2022: attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja
- April 23, 2022: attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which left five police officers dead
- February 7, 2022: attack on Okene Area Command police station, Kogi State
- December 24, 2020: attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, in which two naval officers were killed
Blow to ISWAP expansion
The source described Ohida’s killing as a major disruption of ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
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