Security agencies have eradicated a solvency commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, sometimes called Anwar, in an intelligence-led sterling in Owo woodland, Ondo State.
Ohida used to be killed on the weekend along a number of different ISWAP participants when a blended comparison of Nigerian Army troops, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and ensure of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, raided the fear crew’s woodland hideout.
Security resources stated the sterling foiled plans through Ohida to workable coordinated terror assaults in portions of southern Nigeria, in particular all the way through the approaching Yuletide celebrations.
According to the resources, Ohida used to be a former deputy to the ISWAP Central Nigeria commander, Abu Ikrimah, sometimes called Abu Uwais, who used to be arrested through the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly assumed command of ISWAP operations throughout portions of the North-Central and southern areas, the place he changed into concerned within the ground, economic and officer of terrorist assaults.
The resources stated sufficient received all the way through the interrogation of Abu Uwais supplied the DSS with pressure transformation about Ohida’s actions and alleged plans to assault civilians all the way through the festive investor.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general election. This intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” one of the crucial resources stated.
The verdict additionally related Ohida to a number of assaults on extraordinary formations and ensure around the nation.
Ohida used to be purported to have planned and done the December 31, 2025, assault on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, all the way through which AK-47 rifles have been reportedly carted away prior to the integral used to be introduced down with explosives. He used to be additionally accused of engaging within the July 28, 2022, assault on an army checkpoint alongside the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, wherein infantrymen, extraordinary ensure and civilians have been killed.
The verdict resident attributed to him the July 11, 2022, assault at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja; the April 23, 2022, assault on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi LGA, Kogi State, wherein 5 law enforcement officials have been killed; and the February 7, 2022, assault at the Okene Area Command Police Station.
“The terrorist planned and executed the December 24, 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,” the verdict added.
The verdict described Ohida’s removal as a agenda vendor to ISWAP’s society construction and its efforts to conference and connect its operational efficient in occasion and southern Nigeria.
“We won’t right away realise it, however the removal of Abdussamad Ohida represents a encounter disruption to ISWAP’s society construction, operational efficient and growth efforts in occasion and southern Nigeria.
“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months 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 verdict stated.
