An intelligence-driven operation involving Nigerian Army personnel, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, has reportedly killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, alias Anwar, in Owo forest, Ondo State.
Security sources said Ohida and several other members of the terrorist organisation were killed during a surprise raid on their forest camp over the weekend.
According to the sources, Ohida previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria commander Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was apprehended by the DSS in 2023. Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly assumed responsibility for coordinating ISWAP operations across parts of the North Central and southern regions.
The sources further alleged that information obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais enabled the DSS to identify Ohida’s alleged plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide period and interfere with the 2027 general elections. The intelligence was reportedly verified with the assistance of UK intelligence partners.
Ohida was also accused of masterminding and carrying out several att@cks, including the December 31, 2025, assault on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, during which AK-47 rifles were reportedly st%len and the facility destroyed using expl%sives.
Security sources also linked him to an att@ck on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba Road in Niger State in July 2022, the July 2022 assault on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the April 2022 att@ck on Ogaminana Police Station in Kogi State, and the February 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command police station.
The reported elimination of Ohida was described by the sources as a major blow to ISWAP’s leadership structure and its alleged attempts to establish and expand its presence in central and southern Nigeria.
