Ondo ISWAP Commander Killed as Joint Security Operation Foils Planned Attacks
Ondo ISWAP Commander Killed as Joint Security Operation Foils Planned Attacks
A major security operation in Ondo State has raised fresh attention to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism after security forces eliminated a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, in the Owo forest. The operation involved the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
Rather than being a routine forest operation, the development points to the growing importance of intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation in preventing terrorist groups from establishing operational footholds outside their traditional strongholds. Security sources said the operation followed intelligence concerning alleged plans to launch attacks in parts of Southern Nigeria.
Ohida was reportedly killed alongside other members of the terrorist group during a surprise assault on their hideout. According to security sources, he had previously served as deputy to Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, identified as a former ISWAP Central Nigeria leader who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida was reportedly involved in coordinating ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and Southern regions. Security sources further said intelligence obtained during the investigation of the former commander helped security agencies identify Ohida and track his activities.
The latest operation is significant because it demonstrates the role of intelligence-led interventions in confronting threats before they develop into large-scale attacks. Reports indicate that security agencies had information about alleged plans targeting civilians during the forthcoming festive period, prompting intensified efforts to locate the terrorist commander and his associates.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the use of forests and remote corridors as potential hideouts by terrorist and criminal groups. Following the operation, security authorities across parts of the South-West have increased surveillance, intelligence sharing, border monitoring and forest patrols amid fears that criminal networks could exploit difficult terrain and inter-state boundaries.
For Ondo State, the development comes as a reminder of the need for sustained cooperation between conventional security agencies and community-based security structures. The participation of Amotekun alongside the Army and DSS underscores the potential value of combining local intelligence with national security capabilities in confronting emerging threats.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commended the security agencies for the operation, describing the development as an indication of the importance of inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing and proactive security measures. He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting residents, visitors and businesses.
The wider lesson from the Ondo operation is that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy increasingly requires security agencies to identify threats before they reach populated communities. While the elimination of a senior ISWAP commander represents a major operational gain, sustained intelligence gathering, forest surveillance and cooperation among neighbouring states will remain crucial to preventing terrorist groups from rebuilding networks in the South-West.
