Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A joint security operation involving the State Security Service, the Nigerian Army and Amotekun operatives has resulted in the killing of Abdussamad Ohida, an alleged senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, in Ondo State.
The SSS disclosed on Monday that Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside other suspected fighters during an intelligence-led operation carried out over the weekend in the Owo forest.
According to the agency, the operation was supported by intelligence provided through collaboration with partners from the United Kingdom.
The SSS said the suspected terrorist leader was plotting coordinated attacks in parts of southern Nigeria and that the operation disrupted plans linked to the forthcoming festive season and the 2027 general elections.
The agency stated that information leading to the operation emerged from intelligence obtained from Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, an alleged ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria who was arrested in 2023 and remains in custody.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida was said to have assumed a leadership role within the group and coordinated attacks targeting civilians and security personnel.
Security authorities linked him to several major attacks, including the December 31, 2025 assault on a police station in Owo, Ondo State, during which the facility was set ablaze and weapons were taken.
He was also accused of involvement in the 2022 attack on a military checkpoint near Zuma Rock along the Suleja-Abuja road, the Kuje prison break, and attacks on police facilities in Kogi State.
Among the incidents attributed to him were the attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of five police officers, the assault on the Okene Area Command police station, and the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene that left two naval personnel dead.
The SSS said the elimination of Ohida is expected to weaken ISWAP’s command structure and hinder the group’s efforts to expand operations beyond its traditional strongholds in the North-East.
The operation comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies and international partners to combat terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism across the country.
