Army, DSS and Amotekun Kill Senior ISWAP Leader Planning Southern Attacks in Ondo Forest
Akure/Ondo, Nigeria – October 5, 2026—A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been killed in a joint security operation deep in the forests of Ondo State, dealing a significant blow to the group’s reported efforts to expand operations into southern Nigeria.
Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, was eliminated alongside several other members of the terrorist organization during an intelligence-led raid over the weekend in the Owo forest area.
The operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
The Nigerian Army’s 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure later confirmed the development. Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Major Innocent Olamale, described it as a joint, intelligence-driven operation that led to the elimination of the ISWAP commander.
Who Was Abdussamad Ohida?
Security sources said Ohida previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah (also known as Abu Uwais), the former ISWAP leader for central Nigeria who was arrested by the DSS in 2023. After that arrest, Ohida reportedly assumed a leading role in coordinating the group’s activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions of the country.
Sources linked him to several past attacks, including the December 31, 2025 invasion of the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where fighters allegedly carted away AK-47 rifles before destroying the station with explosives.
He has also been associated with earlier incidents such as the July 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja–Zuba Road in Niger State and other assaults on security formations.
Planned Attacks Foiled
According to security sources, intelligence gathered—including information obtained during the interrogation of Abu Ikrimah and later corroborated by partners in the United Kingdom—indicated that Ohida was preparing major attacks targeting civilians in parts of southern Nigeria during the forthcoming festive period. The broader objective, sources claimed, was to create instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The surprise raid on the group’s forest hideout prevented those plans from advancing further.
Ondo Government Reacts
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday commended the security agencies for the successful operation.
In a statement, the state government praised the gallantry, cooperation and intelligence-driven approach of the Nigerian Army, DSS and Amotekun, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
The operation came weeks after the governor issued a deadline to criminal elements occupying forest reserves in the state to vacate the areas.
The killing of Ohida is being described by security observers as a major setback for ISWAP’s leadership structure and its reported ambitions to extend influence beyond traditional strongholds in the North-East and North-Central zones. It follows earlier high-profile eliminations of other senior figures within the group.
While the joint forces have scored a tactical success, security analysts note that sustained intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement will remain essential to prevent residual cells from regrouping.
As investigations continue and further details emerge, the operation underscores the growing presence of hybrid security arrangements involving federal and regional forces in confronting evolving terrorist threats across Nigeria.
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