By Asaye Bankole
A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, popularly known as Anwar, has reportedly been killed during a coordinated security operation in a forest in Owo, Ondo State.
The operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence indicating that Ohida was allegedly preparing to carry out attacks against civilians in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly during the forthcoming festive season.
The intelligence reportedly emerged partly from information gathered after the arrest of Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, a former ISWAP commander in Central Nigeria who was said to be Ohida’s superior. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following his arrest, Ohida was allegedly elevated to a leadership position and took charge of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions.
He was accused of coordinating attacks and seeking to strengthen the group’s presence outside its traditional areas of operation.
Sources said the intelligence concerning the alleged planned attacks was also supported by information from security partners in the United Kingdom.
The development reportedly helped security agencies determine the timing and scope of the operation.
Ohida had allegedly been associated with several attacks across Ondo, Kogi and Niger states.
One of the incidents linked to him was the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before the station was destroyed with explosives.
He was also accused of participating in the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State and the July 11, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Another incident attributed to him was the April 23, 2022 attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five police officers were reportedly killed.
Security sources further linked the ISWAP commander to the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command and the December 24, 2020 assault on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two naval officers.
The reported elimination of Ohida is being viewed as a significant setback for ISWAP, particularly its leadership structure and alleged efforts to expand its operations into central and southern parts of Nigeria.
His death also comes months after another senior Islamic State commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, was reportedly killed, placing additional pressure on the group’s leadership and its expansion plans in the country.
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