A joint security operation by troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, has killed a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo forest, Ondo State.
Security sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside many members of the terrorist organisation during a surprise attack on their forest hideout at the weekend. He was said to be planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states.
According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, the sources said, Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
Through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, the DSS was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide.
“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 said Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, carting away eight AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive. He also mentioned the July 28, 2022, Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
He also blamed on Ohida the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the April 23, 2022, attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers; and the February 7, 2022, attack on 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,” the source added.
“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,” he declared.
