Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security forces, have raided and destroyed known bandits’ camps tied to a notorious bandit leader in Konyo Gbise near Akwaza, within Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a statement from the Army, the offensive is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal strongholds and combat banditry and related crimes across the OPWS area of responsibility. The goal is to secure the region in preparation for a successful farming season in Benue.
The Army revealed that, “In a recent raid operations conducted on May 18, 2025, troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion of OPWS working in close synergy with other security agencies captured and destroyed identified bandits’ camps linked to a bandit leader in Konyo Gbise around Akwaza in Katsina-Ala LGA.”
During the operation, troops seized various weapons including a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) with a magazine, a locally made rifle, and 7.62MM special ammunition. Additional items recovered included a rifle butt, a rifle barrel, 9mm ammunition, three POS devices, two generators, and a mobile phone.
Also confiscated were electrical cables, a painting machine, seven solar panels, a half bag of what appeared to be cannabis sativa, and multiple portraits of bandit leaders.
Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major-General Moses Gara, urged troops to maintain relentless pressure on criminal groups undermining peace in the state. He also appealed to residents of Benue to support security efforts by providing reliable intelligence on criminal activity in their communities.
What you should know
Troops have intensified efforts to eliminate bandit activity in Benue State with a targeted raid that dismantled camps in Konyo Gbise.
Weapons, drugs, and equipment were seized, signaling a firm military stance ahead of the farming season.
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