Security forces have foiled a planned attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province in southern Nigeria with the killing of a senior commander, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, in Ondo State.
Ohida was killed alongside other ISWAP members during an intelligence-led operation by troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services and personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, at a forest hideout in Owo at the weekend.
Security sources said Ohida had emerged as a key ISWAP commander in parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria after the arrest of his superior, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, by the DSS in 2023.
Intelligence obtained during Ikrimah’s interrogation helped security agencies track Ohida and uncover his alleged plans to expand operations into southern Nigeria.
According to sources, Ohida was planning to attack civilians during the forthcoming festive period.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections,” a security source said. The intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners in the United Kingdom, who supported the operation.
Sources described Ohida as a major figure in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist attacks after the arrest of Abu Uwais.
He was linked to the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were carted away before the station was blown up with explosives, and the July 28, 2022 Suleja-Zuba Road military checkpoint attack in Niger State.
The operation comes months after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki and is seen as another major setback for ISWAP’s expansion plans in the South-West.
Leave a comment