Abdussamad Ohida, a suspected senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been killed by security operatives in Ondo State.
Multiple security sources told The Times of Abuja that Ohida was killed in an intelligence-led operation by a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State.
According to the sources, Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside several other members of the terrorist organisation after security operatives launched a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
The sources said Ohida had been planning attacks in some southern states before his death.
They said he previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, the ISWAP leader in central Nigeria who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
According to the sources, Ohida assumed responsibility for ISWAP activities across parts of the north-central and southern regions following Ikrimah’s arrest. They alleged that he subsequently played a key role in planning, coordinating and executing terrorist operations.
“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,” one of the security sources said.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general election. This intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation.”
The source further alleged that Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025, attack on the Ipele divisional police station in Owo, Ondo State, during which eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before the station was brought down with explosives.
He also allegedly planned and executed the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
The source also attributed to Ohida the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022, attack on Ogaminana police station in Adavi LGA of Kogi State, which resulted in the deaths of five police officers; and the February 7, 2022, attack on the Okene Area Command police station.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th of 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 added.
“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.”
