Security forces eliminate senior ISWAP commander in Ondo

Abdussamad Ohida, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been killed during an intelligence-driven operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Amotekun.

DSS sources told TheCable that Ohida was killed over the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo state.

The sources said Ohida, who was also known as Anwar, was preparing to carry out major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria.

According to the sources, Ohida planned to target civilians during the festive season and interfere with the 2027 general election.

They said security forces launched a surprise assault on the group’s hideout in the forest, killing Ohida along with several other members of the terrorist organisation.

The sources said the deceased ISWAP commander had previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, the group’s central Nigeria leader, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida reportedly took charge of ISWAP operations in parts of the north-central and southern regions, where he became involved in planning, coordinating and carrying out terrorist activities.

The sources said the DSS obtained credible intelligence about Ohida’s plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide through information gathered during Abu Uwais’s interrogation.

“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general election,” the sources said.

“This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation.”

The sources said Ohida planned and carried out the December 31, 2025, attack on the Ipele divisional police station in Owo, Ondo state, where eight AK-47 rifles were taken before an explosive was used to destroy the station.

They also attributed the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba road in Niger state to Ohida, saying several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.

The sources further alleged that Ohida was involved in the July 11, 2022, attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

They said the April 23, 2022, assault on Ogaminana police station in Adavi LGA, Kogi state, which left five police officers dead, was also carried out by Ohida. They added that he was responsible for the February 7, 2022, attack on the Okene area command police station.

“The terrorist planned and executed the December 24, 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,” they said.

“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 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.”