A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has reportedly been killed during a coordinated security operation in a forest in Owo, Ondo State, amid intelligence that he was preparing attacks in southern Nigeria.
Ohida was killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group when operatives of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, stormed the group’s hideout at the weekend.
According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the operation followed intelligence indicating that Ohida was planning attacks on civilians during the forthcoming festive season.
Security sources further said the planned attacks were linked to an attempt to destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One of the security sources said intelligence obtained by Nigerian authorities was corroborated by intelligence partners in the United Kingdom before the operation was launched.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections,” the source was quoted as saying, adding that British intelligence partners supported the operation.
Ohida reportedly became a key figure in ISWAP’s operations across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria after the arrest of his former superior, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais.
Ikrimah, identified as the former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader, was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Sources said intelligence obtained during Ikrimah’s interrogation subsequently helped security agencies track Ohida and uncover his operational plans.
Ohida was also accused by security sources of masterminding and participating in several attacks on security formations across Nigeria.
The sources linked him to the December 31, 2025 invasion of the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, during which eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly stolen before the station was destroyed with an explosive.
He was also allegedly involved in the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, where soldiers, security personnel and civilians were killed.
Other attacks attributed to the deceased ISWAP commander include the July 11, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, the April 23, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, and the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command police station.
A security source further accused Ohida of planning and executing the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the deaths of two naval officers.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 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 said.
Ohida’s reported killing comes months after the reported death of another prominent Islamic State-linked commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, in a separate security operation.
Security officials described the latest operation as a major disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure and its efforts to expand its operational network into central and southern Nigeria.
A security source said Ohida’s elimination would affect the group’s ability to coordinate operations and establish new cells in the region.
“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,” the source was quoted as saying.
The source added that Ohida’s death, coming a few months after the reported killing of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, represented another setback for ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence beyond its established areas of activity.
The operation underscores the continued efforts of Nigerian security agencies to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent suspected attacks in parts of the country.