ONDO State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has commended the gallantry, cooperation and intelligence-led operations of the various security agencies, following the elimination of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, in the Owo Forest.
An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun) officers joint operation led to last weekend’s neutralisation of Ohida, who said to be was on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states.
He was killed alongside many members of the terrorist organisation by the security forces in a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
Ohida previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
It was gathered that following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida 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 was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide after interrogating Ikrimah.
“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 (UK), who supported the elimination operation,” one security source reportedly said.
Ohida was alleged to have planned and executed the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, carting away some AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive, as well as July 28, 2022 Suleja-Zuba Road, Niger State, military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed, among others.
“We may not immediately realize it, but the elimination of 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 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 added.
In his reaction to Ohida’s elimination, Aiyedatiwa commended the security agencies for acting swiftly and for their sustained commitment to protecting the lives and property of the people of Ondo State, saying the successful operation underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing and proactive security measures in confronting emerging security threats.
The governor, according to a statement by the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, on Monday, October 5, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the state remains safe and secure for residents, visitors and businesses.
Aiyedatiwa charged security agencies to sustain the momentum and remain vigilant, assuring them of the continued support of the state government in the collective effort to protect the people.
