How ISWAP’s southern expansion plot was foiled, commander killed in Ondo forest.
By Dayo Johnson, Akure The elimination of Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside several of his fighters has brought major relief not only to the people of Ondo State but to the entire southern Nigeria.
Ohida, who took over the coordination of ISWAP’s central and southern regional activities following the 2023 arrest of his superior, Abu Ikrimah (Abu Uwais) inside an Ondo forest, was killed during an intelligence-led operation deep inside the Owo Forest, Ondo State, early this month.
Despite this breakthrough however, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and now traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure North, Oba Olu Falae, has lamented that kidnapping and banditry still hold sway in rural communities The operation was executed by a combined team of Nigerian Army troops, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, with strategic intelligence backing from the United Kingdom.
A major blow against southern expansion, security analysts have described the operation as another major counter-terrorism breakthrough by Nigerian security agencies, at a time authorities are intensifying efforts to prevent terrorist groups from extending their operational footprint from the North-East into the South. According to security sources, the forces carried out a thorough clearance operation in the forest, aimed at dislodging entrenched terrorist cells and preventing planned attacks on communities in southern Nigeria. Before the breakthrough, credible intelligence had indicated that Ohida was plotting to launch coordinated attacks on civilians during the festive period. The plot was designed to create a widespread atmosphere of insecurity that could undermine public confidence and disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Vanguard.