Security forces in Ondo State have neutralised a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in an intelligence-led operation in the Owo forest.
The commander is identified as Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar. The operation takes place over the weekend and involves troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps.
The Nigerian Army confirms the operation, describing it as a joint intelligence-led mission that results in the death of the ISWAP commander and several other members of the group.
Mediaplusng.com reports that security sources say Ohida previously serves as deputy to former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who is arrested by the DSS in 2023. Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida reportedly assumes a leadership role in ISWAP activities across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria.
According to the security sources, intelligence obtained after the arrest and interrogation of Abu Uwais helps security agencies identify alleged plans to attack civilians during the forthcoming festive period and potentially disrupt the 2027 general elections. The intelligence is also reportedly corroborated by international partners, including the United Kingdom.
Ohida is also linked by security sources to several previous attacks across Nigeria. These include the December 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, the 2022 attack on the Suleja-Zuba Road military checkpoint, the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, and attacks on police formations in Kogi State. These links are allegations attributed to security sources.
The operation is being described as a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure and its reported efforts to expand its activities into central and southern Nigeria.
The development also highlights the growing importance of intelligence-sharing and cooperation among Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly in monitoring forest corridors and remote locations that could be used as terrorist hideouts.
The joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, DSS and Amotekun demonstrates a coordinated approach to identifying and disrupting suspected terrorist networks before they can carry out planned attacks.
For residents of Ondo and neighbouring states, the operation also comes amid renewed security concerns over the use of forests and inter-state corridors by terrorist and criminal groups.
Security authorities continue to face the challenge of preventing terrorist networks from establishing footholds outside their traditional areas of operation.
The reported neutralisation of Abdussamad Ohida therefore represents another major development in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, while authorities continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and community security.
