A joint operation in Owo forest killed Abdussamad Ohida, the suspected planner of a string of attacks in central and southern Nigeria. Security sources say he was preparing Yuletide strikes meant to disrupt the 2027 elections.
A senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Abdussamad Ohida, has been killed in an intelligence-led operation in Owo forest, Ondo State.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, carried out the operation at the weekend.
Security sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed along with several members of the group when security forces launched a surprise raid on their forest hideout. They said he was close to launching major terrorist attacks in some southern states.
From deputy to regional commander
According to the sources, Ohida was once the deputy of Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who led ISWAP in central Nigeria. The DSS arrested Ikrimah in 2023.
After Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida reportedly took over ISWAP operations across parts of North Central and southern Nigeria. The sources said he then played a central role in planning, coordinating and carrying out terrorist attacks.
Yuletide plot
The sources said the DSS obtained credible intelligence on Ohida’s plans by questioning Abu Uwais. That intelligence pointed to planned attacks on civilians during the coming Yuletide season.
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“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 source said.
A trail of attacks
Security sources linked Ohida to several deadly attacks in at least four states and the Federal Capital Territory including the 31 December 2025: The invasion of the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State. Attackers took eight AK-47 rifles and then blew up the station with explosives; the 28 July 2022: The attack on a military checkpoint on the Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State. Several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
He was also linked to the July 2022: The attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
– 23 April 2022: The attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which killed five police officers; the February 2022: The attack on the Okene Area Command police station in Kogi State and the 24 December 2020: The attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which killed two naval personnel.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December 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 said.
‘A very big blow’
The source said Ohida’s death was a major setback for the group.
“We may not immediately realise 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,” he said.
“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.”
Crediblenewsng.com
