Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security forces, have carried out a successful raid on notorious bandit hideouts linked to wanted gang leader Konyo Mbise in the Akwaza area of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Army, the operation forms part of a broader effort to eliminate criminal elements from the region and ensure a secure environment for the upcoming farming season.
The statement detailed: “On May 18, 2025, troops from the 72 Special Forces Battalion of OPWS, working closely with other security agencies, launched a raid on known bandit camps associated with the gang leader in Konyo Gbise near Akwaza, Katsina-Ala LGA. The camps were successfully dismantled and destroyed.”
During the operation, the troops recovered a variety of items, including a submachine gun with a magazine, a locally made rifle, 7.62mm special ammunition, a rifle butt and barrel, and 9mm rounds. Additional items seized included three POS terminals, two generators, a mobile phone, electrical cables, a painting machine, and seven solar panels.
Also discovered were half a bag of suspected cannabis sativa and multiple portraits of wanted bandit leaders.
Major General Moses Gara, Commander of the Joint Task Force OPWS, praised the troops for their effective execution of the mission and encouraged continued efforts to disrupt criminal networks in the area.
He also called on residents of Benue State to support military efforts by reporting any suspicious activities and sharing reliable intelligence with security personnel.