A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has been killed in an intelligence led operation involving Nigerian security agencies and intelligence support from the United Kingdom.
Ohida was killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group during a surprise assault on an ISWAP hideout in Owo forest, Ondo State, over the weekend, according to security sources and Nigerian security agencies.
The operation involved personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS, troops of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun. The Nigerian Army subsequently confirmed that Ohida was killed during the joint operation.
According to intelligence gathered by the DSS, Ohida had been planning attacks against civilians in parts of southern Nigeria during the festive period, with security sources saying the group also intended to disrupt the 2027 general elections.
The intelligence was reportedly obtained following the arrest of Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was identified as the former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023 and Ohida, who had served as his deputy, subsequently took over the group’s activities across parts of the North Central and southern regions.
Security sources said intelligence obtained from Ikrimah was corroborated by international partners, including the United Kingdom, helping Nigerian authorities identify Ohida and move against his forest hideout. The development comes months after Nigeria and Britain agreed to deepen cooperation on counter terrorism, intelligence sharing and security preparedness.
Ohida was also accused of involvement in several attacks on security formations. These included the December 2025 attack on a police station in Owo, where terrorists reportedly seized weapons, as well as attacks around Suleja and Zuba, Kuje Correctional Centre and police facilities in Kogi State.
The DSS said his death could disrupt ISWAP’s efforts to establish a stronger presence outside its traditional stronghold in northeastern Nigeria.
The operation also highlights the increasingly international character of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. Britain and Nigeria agreed in June to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism, including multi agency coordination, intelligence and information exchange and election security.
For communities in southern Nigeria, however, the operation carries a more immediate significance. Nigerian authorities say the intelligence driven intervention may have prevented planned attacks during the festive period and disrupted preparations aimed at causing insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.
