A combined team of Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Amotekun operatives has killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, alias Anwar, in Owo Forest, Ondo State.

Security sources said Ohida was killed alongside several members of the terrorist group during an intelligence-led operation at their hideout over the weekend.

Ohida, who previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, alias Abu Uwais, reportedly assumed leadership of the group’s activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions following Ikrimah’s arrest by the DSS in 2023.

The sources alleged that Ohida was planning attacks on civilians during the Yuletide period, with the broader objective of disrupting the 2027 general elections. The intelligence was reportedly corroborated by United Kingdom intelligence partners.

Ohida was also accused of masterminding several attacks, including the December 2025 invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly stolen before the station was destroyed with explosives.

He was further linked to attacks on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, Ogaminana Police Station and Okene Area Command in Kogi State, as well as a naval checkpoint in Okene.

A security source described his elimination as a major setback for ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion plans in central and southern Nigeria.