ISWAP Commander Reportedly Eliminated In Forest as Terrorists Plot Attacks in Southern Nigeria
A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has reportedly been killed during a coordinated security operation in a forest in Owo, Ondo State.
Ohida was reportedly killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group after operatives of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, raided the group’s hideout over the weekend.
According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, security agencies launched the operation after receiving intelligence that Ohida was allegedly planning attacks against civilians in southern Nigeria during the forthcoming festive season.
Security sources further alleged that the planned attacks were part of an attempt to destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ohida reportedly became a key ISWAP figure operating across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria following the arrest of his former superior, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais.
Ikrimah, who was identified as the former ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria, was arrested by the DSS in 2023. Sources said intelligence obtained during his interrogation later helped security agencies track Ohida and uncover his alleged operational plans.
A security source also disclosed that intelligence received from the United Kingdom was used to corroborate information gathered by Nigerian authorities before the operation was conducted.
“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 was quoted as saying.
Ohida was also allegedly linked to several attacks on security formations across Nigeria.
Security sources accused him of masterminding the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly stolen before the station was destroyed with explosives.
He was also allegedly involved in 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 Ohida include 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; and the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command Police Station.
The security source further accused Ohida of planning and executing the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two naval officers.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 2020 attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers, not to mention the several attacks he launched across parts of the country,” the source added.
The latest operation reportedly comes months after the killing of another prominent Islamic State-linked commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, in a separate security operation.
Security officials described Ohida’s reported death as a major setback to ISWAP’s efforts to establish and expand its operational network in central and southern Nigeria.
A security source said the development could significantly disrupt the group’s leadership structure and expansion plans.
“We may not immediately realise it, but the elimination of Abdussamad Ohida represents a significant disruption to 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,” the source was quoted as saying.
