A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Abdussamad Ohida, has reportedly been killed during a joint security operation in a forest area of Owo, Ondo State.
Ohida, also known as Anwar, was reportedly eliminated during an intelligence-led operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
Security sources cited in reports said the operation targeted an ISWAP hideout in the Owo forest, where Ohida and several other members of the terrorist group were reportedly killed.
Ohida was said to have previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was reportedly regarded as the ISWAP leader for the Central Nigeria axis before his arrest by Nigerian security operatives in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly assumed a leadership role in ISWAP activities extending across parts of the North-Central and southern regions.
Sources said intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais helped security agencies uncover alleged plans linked to Ohida and his network.
The intelligence reportedly indicated that the group was planning attacks against civilians during the upcoming festive period, with the broader objective of creating instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the reports, intelligence shared by international partners, including counterparts in the United Kingdom, also contributed to the operation that led to the reported killing of the ISWAP commander.
Ohida was further linked by security sources to the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo.
The attackers were reportedly responsible for overrunning the police facility, taking away AK-47 rifles and using explosives to damage the station.
The latest operation is being viewed by security sources as a significant development in efforts to prevent terrorist networks from establishing a foothold in southern Nigeria.
The reported involvement of the Army, DSS and Amotekun also highlights increased intelligence and security coordination in response to emerging threats in the region.
However, details of the operation, including the exact number of casualties and weapons recovered, have not been independently established from an official statement at the time of writing.
ISWAP Commander, Others Killed In Ondo Forest Operation
