Security operatives kill top ISWAP commander in Ondo

Abdussamad Ohida, a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been killed in an intelligence-led operation carried out by a joint team of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Amotekun.

Security sources at the DSS told TheCable that he was killed at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo state.

The sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, was on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states.

They noted that Ohida plotted to attack civilians during the festive period and disrupt the 2027 general election.

The sources added that he was killed alongside several members of the terrorist organisation by security forces who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.

According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, ISWAP central Nigeria leader, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

The sources said following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of north-central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.

They said that through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, the DSS was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide.

“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general election,” the sources said.

“This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation.”

They said Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele divisional police station, Owo, Ondo state, carting away eight AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive.

They also noted that Ohida was responsible for the attack on a military checkpoint attack along Suleja–Zuba road in Niger state on July 28, 2022, in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.

The sources also alleged that Ohida attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on July 11, 2022.

The sources said Ohida’s attack on Ogaminana police station in Adavi LGA, Kogi state, on April 23, 2022, resulted in the death of five police officers. They also said Ohida was responsible for the February 7, 2022 attack on Okene area command police station.

“The terrorist planned and executed the December 24, 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,” they said.

“We may not immediately realize 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.

“Ohida’s 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.”