JUST IN: Army, DSS, Amotekun Eliminate Top ISWAP Commander in Ondo Operation
A joint operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, has eliminated a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo, Ondo State.
Security sources disclosed that Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside several other suspected members of the terrorist group during an intelligence-led operation on their hideout in Owo forest at the weekend.
The sources said the operation was launched following intelligence indicating that Ohida was planning major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly during the forthcoming Yuletide celebrations.
Ohida reportedly became a key figure in ISWAP’s activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions following the arrest of his former superior, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, by the DSS in 2023.
According to the sources, Ohida previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, who was identified as the leader of ISWAP’s Central Nigeria operations.
Intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Abu Ikrimah reportedly helped security agencies establish Ohida’s operational network and plans to attack civilians during the festive period.
One of the sources said intelligence from the DSS was subsequently corroborated by international partners, including counterparts in the United Kingdom, contributing to the planning and execution of the operation.
“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,” the source said.
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The source further attributed several attacks across the North-Central region to Ohida, including the December 31, 2025, assault on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, where terrorists reportedly carted away eight AK-47 rifles before destroying the facility with explosives.
Ohida was also linked to the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, which resulted in the death of several soldiers, security personnel and civilians.
The source further attributed to him the July 11, 2022, attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022, attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five police officers were killed; and the February 7, 2022, attack on the Okene Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
The source also linked Ohida to the December 24, 2020, attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, in which two naval personnel were killed.
The latest operation comes months after the reported elimination of another senior ISWAP commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, in a separate security operation.
The source described Ohida’s elimination as a significant setback to ISWAP’s efforts to strengthen its leadership structure and expand its operational footprint beyond its traditional areas of activity.
“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.
“His 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,” the source said.
By PRNigeria
