A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Abdussamad Ohida, has been killed during a joint security operation in a forest in Owo, Ondo State.
As reported by Vanguard, Ohida, also known as Anwar, was reportedly eliminated alongside several other members of the terrorist group during an intelligence-driven operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
Security sources said the operation was launched after intelligence indicated that Ohida was preparing attacks on civilians in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly during the forthcoming Yuletide season.
The sources said the intelligence was obtained partly through information gathered following the arrest of Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was identified as the former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader and Ohida’s superior.
Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following his superior’s arrest, Ohida allegedly took charge of ISWAP operations across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria, where he was said to have coordinated several attacks and worked to expand the group’s activities.
One of the sources said intelligence on the planned attacks was corroborated by security partners in the United Kingdom, contributing to the decision to launch the operation against the terrorist commander and his associates.
Ohida was also linked to several attacks in Kogi, Niger and Ondo states, including the December 31, 2025 assault on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly stolen before the facility was destroyed with an explosive.
He was further accused of involvement in the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, the July 11, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja and the April 23, 2022 attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five policemen were killed.
The source also attributed to Ohida the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command and the December 24, 2020 assault on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which reportedly claimed the lives of two naval officers.
The security operation, according to the source, represents a major setback for ISWAP's command structure and its attempt to establish a stronger foothold in central and southern Nigeria.
Ohida's death reportedly comes months after the killing of another senior Islamic State commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, further putting pressure on the terrorist group's leadership and expansion efforts in Nigeria.
Source: Vanguard
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