Posted by Chinenye on Tue 06th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
Security forces in Ondo State say they have killed an alleged ISWAP commander during an operation in a forest in Owo.
(Abdussamad Ohida. Photo by AIT)
Security forces in Ondo State have killed Abdussamad Ohida, a commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP. He was also known as Anwar.
He was killed on Sunday during an operation in a forest in Owo, in the northern part of the state.
Innocent Olamale, spokesperson for the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, confirmed this.
He said it was a joint operation that was intelligently led to the killing of the commander, along with some members of his group.
The operation involved Army troops, operatives of the State Security Services and the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun.
It was gathered that the operation followed intelligence that Ohida was planning attacks on civilians in parts of southern Nigeria, especially during the coming Christmas period.
The intelligence was boosted by information from Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, a former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader and Ohida's boss, who was arrested by the SSS in 2023.
Sources said Ohida took over command of ISWAP operations in parts of the North-central and southern regions after that arrest, allegedly coordinating attacks and trying to expand the group's reach.
Operatives also drew on intelligence from local and international partners, including security agencies in the United Kingdom.
Ohida was allegedly involved in the December 31, 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were carted away before the station was destroyed with an explosive.
He was also accused of a role in the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint on the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State and the July 11, 2022 attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
In Kogi State, he was linked to the April 23, 2022 attack on the Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area, where five policemen were killed.
He was also tied to the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command and the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, where two naval officers were reportedly killed.