The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, during a joint security operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps.

The 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, confirmed the development on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the brigade, Major Innocent Olamale, confirmed the operation and said it was an intelligence-led joint operation that resulted in the killing of the ISWAP commander.

Ohida was reportedly killed on Sunday alongside several other members of the terrorist group after security operatives raided a forest location in the Owo area.

The operation was also reported by multiple Nigerian media organisations, which cited security sources familiar with the operation.

According to those sources, Ohida had previously served as deputy to an ISWAP commander identified as Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. The sources said Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023 and that Ohida subsequently assumed a leadership role in ISWAP activities in parts of North-Central and southern Nigeria.

Security sources further alleged that intelligence gathered by the DSS had linked Ohida to plans for attacks in parts of southern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians during the forthcoming festive period.

The same sources claimed that intelligence partners in the United Kingdom had corroborated the information and supported the operation. Those details have not been independently established and are therefore being reported as claims attributed to security sources.

Security sources also attributed a number of previous attacks on security formations to Ohida, including the December 2025 attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo and several attacks in Niger, Kogi and Abuja between 2020 and 2022.

Those alleged links have likewise not been independently established in the public information available on the operation and should be treated as part of the security agencies’ reported intelligence assessment.

The Army’s confirmation of Ohida’s death provides the first clear official confirmation of the central claim surrounding the operation. However, the security agencies have not publicly released a detailed account of the raid, including the exact number of other ISWAP members killed or weapons recovered.

The operation comes amid continuing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to prevent terrorist groups from establishing or expanding operational networks outside the country’s traditional conflict areas.

Further details from the Army, DSS or other participating security agencies are expected to clarify the circumstances of the operation and provide additional information about the identities of those killed and any materials recovered from the forest location.