A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, has reportedly been killed during an intelligence-led joint operation by Nigerian security forces in Ondo State.
Ohida was reportedly eliminated alongside other ISWAP members when troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and personnel of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, raided an ISWAP hideout in Owo forest, Ondo State, at the weekend.
Security sources quoted in reports said the operation disrupted plans allegedly being developed by the group to launch attacks in southern Nigeria.
However, one of the strongest pieces of information about Ohida predates the reported operation: Nigeria’s Sanctions Committee officially designated Abdulsamat AbdulKareem Ohida as a terrorist financier on March 18, 2024, identifying him as a senior ISWAP commander in Okene.
Here are 10 facts about the reported ISWAP commander:
- His official name was Abdulsamat AbdulKareem Ohida
Nigeria’s official sanctions database lists his name as Abdulsamat AbdulKareem Ohida. The database does not provide a date of birth, address or telephone number for him.
- He was identified as a senior ISWAP commander
The Nigeria Sanctions Committee described Ohida as a senior commander, or “Qaid,” of the ISWAP Okene cell. This official designation was made in March 2024.
- He was officially designated as a terrorist financier
Ohida was placed on Nigeria’s sanctions list as a terrorist financier.
The designation meant financial institutions and other covered businesses were required to freeze assets belonging to him and report relevant transactions to the authorities.
- Authorities linked him to the 2022 Owo church attack
Nigeria’s official sanctions record identifies Ohida as a suspected attacker in the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The attack occurred during a church service and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The word suspected is important because that is how the official sanctions record describes his involvement.
- He was also linked by authorities to the Kuje Correctional Centre attack
The same government record identifies Ohida as a suspected attacker in the attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja in July 2022.
- Security sources say he rose in the ISWAP leadership structure
According to security sources cited by Vanguard and other Nigerian outlets, Ohida previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, described as an ISWAP Central Nigeria leader.
Following Abu Uwais’ arrest by the DSS in 2023, the sources said Ohida subsequently assumed a more prominent leadership role in ISWAP activities across parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria.
- Several other attacks were attributed to him
Security sources have also attributed a number of attacks to Ohida, including attacks involving police and military positions in Kogi and Niger states.
Among those cited were the Okene Area Command, Ogaminana Police Station, a Suleja-Zuba Road military checkpoint, and a naval checkpoint in Okene.
These allegations should be presented as claims by security sources rather than independently established facts.
- He was accused of involvement in the Ipele police station attack
Security sources also accused Ohida of planning and executing the December 31, 2025 attack on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Ondo State.
The sources alleged that the attackers seized eight AK-47 rifles and used explosives during the assault.
- His latest operation took place in Owo forest
Reports published on October 5, 2026, said the Army, DSS and Amotekun conducted an intelligence-led operation against an ISWAP hideout in Owo forest.
Ohida was reportedly killed alongside several other members of the group during the operation.
- Security sources say the operation disrupted planned attacks
According to the security sources quoted by Vanguard, intelligence gathered after the arrest of Abu Uwais indicated that Ohida was allegedly planning attacks during the festive period.
The sources further claimed the alleged plans were intended to target civilians and potentially disrupt the 2027 general elections. They said intelligence from UK partners also contributed to the operation. These claims have been attributed to security sources and should not be presented as independently verified facts.
Why Ohida’s reported death matters
The reported killing is significant because Nigerian authorities had already identified Ohida as a senior ISWAP commander operating from the Okene axis, while recent security reporting portrayed him as part of the group’s efforts to maintain or expand its activities beyond its traditional strongholds in northeastern Nigeria.
His reported elimination therefore represents a potentially important development in efforts to disrupt ISWAP networks operating in central and southern Nigeria, although the longer-term impact on the group’s activities remains to be established.
Source note: The details concerning his official designation and suspected involvement in the Owo and Kuje attacks come from Nigeria’s Sanctions Committee. Other details concerning his alleged leadership role, additional attacks and planned future operations are attributed to security sources cited by Nigerian media.