Terrorist attack foiled as security forces kill top ISWAP leader in Ondo forest

By Ayorinde Oluokun

A senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who was allegedly planning massive terrorists attack in Southern Nigeria, Abdussamad Ohida, has been killed alongside his foot solders in a forest in Owo town, Ondo State.

Ohida was killed at the weekend in an operation conducted by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and officers of Western Nigeria Security Network aka Amotekun, according to security sources.

The sources said Ohida who was also known as Anwar was plotting massive terrorist attacks in some southern states before he was killed.

He was reportedly killed alongside many members of the terrorist organization by the security forces who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.

The eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais.

Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

After Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida reportedly assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of North central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.

The DSS gathered intelligence on the plan by Ohida to attack to attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, according to the sources

“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections. This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” offered one of the sources.

The source also revealed that Ohida masterminded the 31st December 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station, Owo, Ondo State during which AK-47 rifles were stolen before the police station was destroyed with an explosive.

The source also linked him to the 28 July 2022 Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.

Ohida was also linked to the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the 23rd April, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers, and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command police station.

“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 2020 attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers, not to mention the several attacks he launched across parts of the country,” he added.

“We may not immediately realize it, but the elimination of Abdussamad Ohida represents a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.

“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months after after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, is a very big blow to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, and underscores the growing efficiency of our security services,” the source declared.