Security operatives have killed Abdussamad Ohida, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, in an intelligence-led operation in Ondo State, according to security sources.
Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed at the weekend in the Owo forest by a joint team comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Amotekun.
DSS sources told TheCable that the operation also led to the death of several other members of the terrorist group after security forces launched a surprise attack on their hideout.
The sources alleged that Ohida was preparing to carry out major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians during the festive period and attempts to disrupt the 2027 general election.
They said intelligence obtained through the interrogation of Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, a former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader arrested by the DSS in 2023, helped security agencies track Ohida’s activities.
According to the sources, Ohida had served as Ikrimah’s deputy before taking over leadership of ISWAP operations across parts of the North-Central and southern regions following his arrest.
They said he subsequently became involved in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
The sources said information obtained from Ikrimah indicated that Ohida was planning attacks during the 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.”
The sources also linked Ohida to several attacks across Nigeria.
They alleged that he 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.
They further attributed to him an attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba Road in Niger State on July 28, 2022, in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
Ohida was also alleged to have participated in the July 11, 2022, attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The sources said an attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State on April 23, 2022, which claimed the lives of five police officers, was also carried out by Ohida.
They also linked him to the February 7, 2022, attack on the 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.
The sources described Ohida’s death as a major disruption to ISWAP’s activities in the central and southern parts of Nigeria.
“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.”
