Security forces in Ondo State have killed Abdussamad Ohida, a commander of the [Islamic State West Africa Province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_West_Africa_Province).
Ohida, who also went by the name Anwar, was neutralised on Sunday in a forested area of Owo, located in the northern part of the state.
Innocent Olamale, spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade of the [Nigerian Army](https://www.nigerianarmy.gov.ng) in Akure, confirmed the development, stating that the terrorist was eliminated together with several of his associates.
“Yes, it was a joint operation intelligently led to the execution of the ISWAP commander,” Major Olamale, also assistant director of Army Public Relations, said.
The raid involved troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the [State Security Service](https://www.sss.gov.ng), and the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, which was linked for the first time in the report.
Intelligence suggested the commander was planning attacks on civilians in southern Nigeria, especially ahead of the upcoming Yuletide period, prompting the operation.
The threat assessment was reinforced by information obtained from Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, a former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader and Ohida’s superior, who was detained by the SSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida is reported to have taken over command of ISWAP activities across north‑central and southern regions, allegedly coordinating assaults and seeking to broaden the group’s presence.
Operatives also drew intelligence from local and international partners, including security agencies in the United Kingdom, to sharpen the threat analysis before the Sunday operation was carried out.
Ohida had been linked to several attacks in Ondo, Kogi and Niger states, notably the 31 December 2025 assault on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, during which eight AK‑47 rifles were seized and the station destroyed with an explosive device.
He was also accused of involvement in the 28 July 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja‑Zuba road in Niger State and the 11 July 2022 raid on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
In Kogi State, he was tied to the 23 April 2022 attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area, which resulted in the death of five policemen.
Other incidents attributed to him include the 7 February 2022 assault on the Okene Area Command and the 24 December 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, where two naval officers were reported killed.