A joint security operation involving Troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, has reportedly killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province commander, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar.
Security sources said Ohida, who was allegedly coordinating plans for major terrorist attacks in parts of southern Nigeria, was killed alongside several suspected members of the group during an intelligence-led operation on their hideout in the Owo forest area of Ondo State at the weekend.
It was gathered that Abdussamad Ohida had risen through the ranks of the Islamic State West Africa Province and was previously deputy to the group’s Central Nigeria leader, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais.
Abu Uwais was arrested by the Department of State Services in 2023.
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Following that arrest, security sources say Ohida assumed a more prominent leadership role, coordinating activities across parts of North-Central and Southern Nigeria.
He is alleged to have played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of several terrorist operations.
Security sources revealed that intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Abu Uwais subsequently provided information on Ohida’s activities and alleged plans to carry out attacks during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to one of the sources, the alleged plot was aimed at attacking civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupting preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The source also claims the intelligence was corroborated by partners in the United Kingdom, who provided support for the operation that led to Ohida’s killing.
Security officials have also linked Ohida to series of attacks spanning several years.
They allege that he planned and executed the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before explosives were used to damage the station.
He was also linked by the sources to the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, in which soldiers, officers and civilians were reportedly killed.
Security sources further attribute to Ohida the July 11, 2022 attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, where terrorists breached the facility and hundreds of inmates escaped.
They also link him to the April 23, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the deaths of five police officers, as well as the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command Police Station.
Another attack attributed to him was the December 24, 2020 assault on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, in which two naval personnel were reportedly killed.
Security sources have described Ohida’s death as a significant disruption to the Islamic State West Africa Province’s leadership structure, operational network and attempts to expand its activities into Central and Southern Nigeria.
His reported killing comes months after the death of another Islamic State leader, Abu Bilal al-Minuki.
Security officials say the two operations represent major setbacks to the group’s efforts to establish a stronger operational presence outside its traditional areas of activity.
The authorities have yet to release a detailed official statement on the operation or disclose the number of suspected terrorists killed alongside Ohida.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
