Security forces comprising the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, have killed a suspected senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, during an operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State.
According to a statement attributed to the joint task force, the intelligence-led operation targeted a terrorist hideout in the forest and resulted in the death of Ohida and several other suspected members of the group.
The operation was reportedly launched following intelligence that Ohida was planning attacks against civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide period, with an alleged broader objective of disrupting the 2027 general elections.
The intelligence was said to have been corroborated by United Kingdom security partners before the coordinated operation was conducted.
Security sources alleged that Ohida assumed responsibility for ISWAP activities across parts of North-Central and Southern Nigeria following the arrest of his former superior, Abu Uwais, in 2023.
He was also linked by the intelligence report to several attacks, including the December 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, the July 2022 attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre, and attacks targeting police and military formations in Kogi and Niger states.
The reported killing of Ohida comes months after the reported death of ISIS commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki, and security authorities are expected to assess the impact of the operation on ISWAP's leadership and operational networks in the region.
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