AN intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, has eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo forest, Ondo State.
News Point Nigeria reports that security sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, who was allegedly on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states, was killed alongside several members of the terrorist organisation after security forces launched a surprise attack on their forest hideout at the weekend.
According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to the ISWAP Central Nigeria leader, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, the sources said Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
The sources further 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 elections. This intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” one of the sources said.
The source said Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, where eight AK-47 rifles were carted away before the station was brought down with an explosive.
He also mentioned the July 28, 2022, attack on the Suleja–Zuba Road military checkpoint in Niger State, in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
The source further blamed Ohida for the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the April 23, 2022, attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers; and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command Police Station.
“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,” he added.
The source said the elimination of Ohida represented a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in Central and Southern Nigeria.
“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.
“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,” he declared.
