An intelligence-led operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, has eliminated a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) leader in Owo forest, Ondo State.
The operation, which took place at the weekend, resulted in the death of Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, alongside several other members of the terrorist group, according to security sources.
The sources said Ohida was allegedly preparing to launch major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria before security forces raided the group’s forest hideout.
Ohida reportedly served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly took charge of ISWAP operations across parts of the North-Central and southern regions, where he was involved in planning, coordinating and carrying out terrorist activities.
The sources said information obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped the DSS gather intelligence about plans allegedly being made by Ohida to attack civilians during the forthcoming festive period.
“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,” one of the sources said.
The source alleged that Ohida planned and carried out the December 31, 2025, attack on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, during which eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before explosives were used to destroy the station.
He was also accused of involvement in the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba Road in Niger State, which reportedly claimed the lives of several soldiers, security personnel and civilians.
The source further attributed to Ohida the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022, assault on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the deaths of five police officers; and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command police station.
“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,” he added.
Another source said the killing of Ohida would affect ISWAP’s leadership and operational activities in the central and southern parts of the country.
“We may not immediately realize 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 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 declared.