Nigerian forces kill terrorist leader in operation aided by UK

A joint security operation has led to the killing of Abdussamad Ohida, an alleged terror kingpin described as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

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The State Security Service (SSS, also known as DSS) disclosed this in a statement issued by its media unit on Monday.

Mr Ohida, also known as “Anwar,” was killed alongside his brothers-in-arms in what the SSS described as a surprise, intelligence-led operation in collaboration with the operatives of the Nigerian Army and the state-backed paramilitary agency, Amotekun.

The operation was carried out over the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State.

The SSS said the terror kingpin was planning massive, coordinated terrorist attacks in some southern states before he was killed.

Planned attacks to disrupt Yuletide, 2027 elections preempted

The killing of Mr Ohida stopped his planned attack on civilians during forthcoming festive celebrations and the 2027 elections, the SSS said, adding that intelligence partners from the UK aided in the operation that killed the terror commander.

The planned attacks were reportedly revealed to the SSS by incarcerated ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais.

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Mr Ikrimah was arrested by the SSS in 2023 and has since remained in the secret police’s custody.

Following the arrest of Mr Ikrima, his deputy, Mr Ohida, succeeded him, coordinating attacks against civilians and security forces.

Mr Ohida, the SSS said, was responsible for several attacks, including the invasion of a Divisional Police Station in Owo, Ondo State, on 31 December, 2025.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the terrorists, during the crossover night attack, torched the police station and carted arms away.

Mr Ohida was also blamed for a 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along Suleja-Abuja road near Zuma Rock.

Other attacks were also attributed to him, including the 2022 Kuje prison break and an attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which claimed the lives of five police officers.

The SSS said Mr Ohida was also responsible for the attack in 2022 on the Okene Area Command police station, and the 24 December 2020 attack on the Naval checkpoint in Okene, killing two naval personnel.

READ ALSO: One arrested as troops dismantle terrorists’ camp, rescue kidnap victims

The secret police said the killing of Mr Ohida will disrupt ISWAP’s leadership structure and its expansion campaign outside its North-east base.

This is the first time the UK would be publicly mentioned in a security operation months after Nigeria strengthened its defence partnership with it.

Nigeria faces multidimensional security threats, including the Boko Haram insurgency, which has lingered for more than a decade. The unending war culminated in a Christian genocide narrative in 2025, with United States President Donald Trump threatening fierce action should the Nigerian government fail to curtail the killing of Christians.

The government denied the genocide narrative, arguing that Nigerians of all backgrounds are being targeted by terrorists.

This diplomatic tension later resulted in bilateral cooperation that yielded a significant result when an ISWAP top commander, Abu Bilal or Abubakar Mainok, was killed in a joint operation involving US and Nigerian forces.