Nigerian Forces Kill Senior ISWAP Leader in Ondo Forest Operation

A joint operation by the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun) killed Abdussamad Ohida, a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), during a weekend raid on a hideout in Owo forest, Ondo State. Ohida, also known as Anwar, was eliminated alongside several other ISWAP members in a surprise assault.

Ohida had assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across North-Central and southern Nigeria following the 2023 arrest of his former superior, Abu Ikrimah (also known as Abu Uwais). Intelligence from Ikrimah's interrogation by the DSS revealed Ohida's plans to launch major terrorist attacks on civilians during the upcoming Yuletide period, with stated objectives to disrupt the 2027 general elections. British intelligence partners corroborated these findings and supported the operation.

According to security sources, Ohida was linked to multiple attacks spanning nearly six years. These include the December 31, 2025 invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where attackers seized eight AK-47 rifles; the July 28, 2022 assault on the Suleja–Zuba Road military checkpoint in Niger State, in which multiple soldiers, officers and civilians were killed; the July 11, 2022 attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022 assault on Ogaminana Police Station in Kogi State that killed five officers; the February 7, 2022 attack on Okene Area Command police station; and the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene that killed two naval officers.

Security sources assessed that Ohida's death represents a significant disruption to ISWAP's leadership structure, operational network, and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria. The killing follows the elimination of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki several months prior.