The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, during a joint security operation in Ondo State.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Major Innocent Olamale, confirmed the development on Monday, saying the operation was carried out jointly by the Army, the Department of State Services and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps.
Ohida was killed on Sunday during an intelligence-led operation in a forest around Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of the state. Several other members of the terrorist group were also reportedly killed during the operation.
Confirming the operation in a telephone conversation, Olamale said the security agencies successfully targeted the ISWAP commander through coordinated intelligence and military action.
He said, “Yes, it was a joint operation which intelligently led to the execution of the ISWAP commander.”
The operation reportedly involved security personnel from the three agencies who moved against the terrorists in the forest, where the ISWAP commander and other members of the group were said to have been operating.
The killing of Ohida comes amid intensified security operations aimed at preventing terrorist groups from establishing footholds in the South-West and other parts of southern Nigeria.
Security sources had earlier said Ohida, who reportedly took over ISWAP activities in parts of the North-Central and southern regions after the arrest of his former superior, Abu Ikrimah, was involved in the planning and coordination of terrorist activities.
The Army confirmation followed reports that the joint operation had disrupted the activities of the terrorist group in the Owo axis, although further details about the operation and the identities of other casualties were not immediately made public.
