Army, DSS and Amotekun Forces Raid Terrorist Hideout in Owo
An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and Amotekun officers has reportedly killed a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) leader, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo, Ondo State.
Security sources said Ohida, also known as Anwar, was killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group during a surprise attack on their forest hideout at the weekend.
The sources said 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.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions, where he was involved in planning and coordinating terrorist operations.
According to the sources, intelligence obtained during Ikrimah’s interrogation helped the DSS uncover alleged plans by Ohida to attack civilians during the forthcoming Yuletide and disrupt the 2027 general elections. The intelligence was reportedly corroborated by UK intelligence partners.
The sources also linked Ohida to several previous attacks, including the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, the July 28, 2022, attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, and the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
He was further alleged to have been involved in attacks on Ogaminana Police Station and Okene Area Command in Kogi State, as well as a December 24, 2020, attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene that reportedly killed two naval officers.
The security sources described Ohida’s reported killing as a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.