By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the neutralisation of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, during a military operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State, as part of intensified efforts to prevent planned large-scale terrorist attacks across the country during the forthcoming festive season.
The terrorist commander, identified as the deputy to the ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria, was reportedly involved in planning attacks on citizens in several states, according to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
Onoja disclosed this on Friday during the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), where he highlighted operational successes recorded across the country between September 30 and October 30, 2026.
He said the operation, conducted by a combined team of security forces on October 2, resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, including Ohida, who had assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of its former leader by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2023.
According to him, Ohida’s neutralisation represents a significant setback to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, particularly its plans to launch attacks during the approaching festive period.
The DHQ spokesperson said the operation was among several major successes recorded by troops during the month as the military sustained coordinated offensives against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities across the six geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on terrorist elements across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, neutralising 162 terrorists, arresting 98 suspects, rescuing 39 kidnapped persons and receiving the surrender of 68 terrorist fighters.
One of the major engagements occurred between October 6 and 7 when troops, supported by the Air Component, repelled an ISWAP attack on Kukawa town in Borno State. The operation led to the neutralisation of 25 terrorists and recovery of six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs and an anti-tank bomb.
The military also recorded more than 50 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendering in different locations across Borno State, with the surrendering persons citing hunger, hardship and violent clashes among rival terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning the insurgency.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the neutralisation of 18 terrorists, arrest of 10 suspects and rescue of 167 kidnapped victims across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
Troops also repelled a major attack by Lakurawa terrorists in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7, neutralising 10 attackers and recovering a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.
Similarly, operations in the North-Central region by Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE resulted in the neutralisation of 33 terrorists and criminals, arrest of 158 suspects and rescue of 110 kidnapped persons.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled 49 illegal refining sites, arrested 45 suspects and recovered 756,837 litres of stolen petroleum products in ongoing operations against crude oil theft and other economic crimes.
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA recorded the neutralisation of two terrorists, arrest of 22 criminals and rescue of 33 civilians, including 20 persons abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
Providing an overall assessment of the operations, Onoja said the Armed Forces neutralised more than 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during the period under review.
He added that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were recovered across the various operational theatres.
The Defence spokesperson further disclosed that troops recorded 98 attacks across the theatres of operation during the month but responded decisively, repelling the assaults through superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and operational commitment, urging them to remain disciplined, uphold human rights and adhere strictly to the rules of engagement.
The CDS also called on other security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint planning, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and deny criminal elements safe havens.
The Armed Forces further encouraged Nigerians to provide credible security information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
