By Gloria Drealomalicha
A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, identified as Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has reportedly been killed during an intelligence-led security operation in Owo forest, Ondo State.
Ohida was said to have been eliminated during a joint operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS, and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.
According to security sources, the operation was carried out at the weekend after intelligence reportedly identified the location of an ISWAP hideout in the forest.
The sources said several other members of the group were also killed during the operation.
Ohida was reportedly a former deputy to the 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 assumed responsibility for coordinating ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions of the country.
The sources further claimed that information obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped security agencies uncover alleged plans by Ohida to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide period and disrupt the 2027 general elections.
The intelligence was reportedly cross-checked with information from British intelligence partners, according to the sources.
Ohida was also accused of involvement in several attacks on security formations across the country.
These reportedly included the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where AK-47 rifles were allegedly stolen and the facility destroyed with explosives.
He was also linked by the sources to attacks on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba Road in Niger State in July 2022, the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja the same month, Ogaminana Police Station in Kogi State in April 2022 and the Okene Area Command police station in February 2022.
Security sources described Ohida’s reported death as a major setback for ISWAP, particularly its alleged efforts to establish and expand operational networks in parts of central and southern Nigeria.
The development comes amid continued security concerns over the activities of terrorist and criminal groups across different parts of the country.
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