By Ayodele Oni
A combined team of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, has foiled planned attacks on communities in South West, by suspected members of Islamic State West Africa Province, (ISWAP), following killing of the group’s leader.
A senior leader of ISWAP, Abdussamad Ohida, was shot dead by security agents in Ondo State.
Ohida, also known as Anwar, was reportedly killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group during an intelligence-led operation at their hideout in Owo forest, Ondo State, at the weekend, according to security sources.
The sources said the operation was launched after intelligence indicated that Ohida was planning major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria.
Ohida was said to have served as deputy to the former 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 control of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions, where he reportedly played a major role in planning, coordinating and executing terrorist operations.
According to the sources, intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped the DSS uncover Ohida’s alleged plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide celebrations.
“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 further attributed several past attacks to Ohida, including the December 31, 2025, invasion of the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State.
The attackers reportedly carted away eight AK-47 rifles before destroying the police station with explosives.
Ohida was also allegedly linked to the July 28, 2022, attack on the Suleja–Zuba Road military checkpoint in Niger State, where several soldiers, officers and civilians were reportedly killed.
Other attacks attributed to him included the July 11, 2022, assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022, attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which reportedly left five police officers dead; and 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,” the source added.
Another security source said Ohida’s death could disrupt ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in the central and southern parts of the country.
“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,” the source added.
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