A senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, has been killed during a joint security operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State.

According to a report by TVC News, Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside other members of the terrorist group after personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, raided the group’s hideout during an intelligence-driven operation at the weekend.

TVC News reported that Ohida had been linked to the coordination of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions after taking over the role previously held by Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah, who was identified as the group’s Central Nigeria leader, was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

According to the report, intelligence gathered during Ikrimah’s interrogation helped security agencies identify plans allegedly being coordinated by Ohida, including attacks on civilians during the festive period and attempts to disrupt activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. The intelligence was reportedly reinforced by information from security partners in the United Kingdom.

Ohida was also accused of involvement in several attacks in Kogi, Niger and Ondo states, as well as the 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. One of the incidents linked to him was the December 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, during which eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before the facility was destroyed with explosives.

A security source cited by TVC News described Ohida’s death as a major setback to ISWAP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in central and southern Nigeria, saying the operation had disrupted part of the group’s leadership and operational network.