An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, has reportedly eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, alias Anwar, in Owo forest, Ondo State.
According to security sources, Ohida and several other members of the terrorist group were killed during a surprise attack on their forest hideout at the weekend.
The sources said Ohida was formerly the 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 over the coordination of ISWAP activities across parts of the North Central and southern regions.
Security sources further claimed that intelligence obtained through the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped the DSS uncover Ohida’s alleged plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide and disrupt the 2027 general elections. The intelligence was reportedly corroborated by UK intelligence partners.
Ohida was also accused of planning and executing several attacks, including the December 31, 2025 invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where AK-47 rifles were reportedly stolen and the station destroyed with explosives.
He was further linked by the sources to attacks on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State in July 2022, Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja in July 2022, Ogaminana Police Station in Kogi State in April 2022, and Okene Area Command police station in February 2022.
The sources described Ohida’s reported elimination as a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure and its efforts to expand its operations into central and southern Nigeria.
