Security Forces kill ISWAP leader plotting terror attacks

A combined team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, has killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo forest, Ondo State.

It was gathered the intelligence-led operation eliminated Ohida, also known as Anwar, with several other members of the terror group during a surprise operation on their forest hideout at the weekend.

Ohida was allegedly planning attacks in parts of southern States in Nigeria. He was believed to have served as 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 ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions, where he was said to have been involved in the planning and coordination of terror operations

Intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped the DSS uncover alleged plans by Ohida to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide period.

He was reportedly planning targeting civilians in attacks during the festive period and disrupt the 2027 general elections.

The source added that the intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners in the United Kingdom, who supported the operation that led to Ohida’s death.

The source also attributed several previous attacks to Ohida, including the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly carted away before the station was destroyed with explosives.

He also alleged that Ohida was responsible for the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of soldiers, security personnel and civilians.

Other attacks allegedly linked to the ISWAP commander included 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 reportedly killed; and the February 7, 2022, attack on the Okene Area Command police station.