Military Neutralises Senior ISWAP Leader in Ondo Forest, Foils Planned Attacks

Military Neutralises Senior ISWAP Leader in Ondo Forest, Foils Planned Attacks

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) leader, Abdussamad Ohida, during a joint security operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during a monthly operational briefing with Defence Correspondents, where he presented the military’s achievements across various theatres of operation.

Onoja said the operation was conducted on October 2, 2026, by a combined team of security forces targeting terrorist elements operating in the forest.

He explained that several terrorists were neutralised during the operation, including Ohida, who was identified as the deputy to the ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria.

According to the Defence spokesman, Ohida assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of its former leader by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2023.

He further disclosed that the late terrorist leader was involved in planning large-scale attacks against civilians in several states during the forthcoming festive season.

Onoja described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, saying Ohida’s neutralisation would weaken ISWAP’s leadership structure and efforts to expand its presence in Nigeria.

He added that the operation was part of the Armed Forces’ sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their leadership structures and prevent planned attacks against innocent citizens, particularly ahead of the festive season.

Military Neutralises Senior ISWAP Leader in Ondo Forest, Foils Planned Attacks