ARMY STORMS BANDITS’ CAMPS IN BENUE, DESTROYS KINGPIN KONYO MBISE’S HIDEOUT

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By Oduola F.A.

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security agencies, have stormed and dismantled notorious bandit camps linked to the bandit leader Konyo Mbise around Akwaza in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.

A statement from the Nigerian Army described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements within the OPWS Area of Operation and to ensure a safe farming season in Benue State.

The statement read: “In a recent raid operation conducted on May 18, 2025, troops of the 72 Special Forces Battalion of OPWS, in close synergy with other security agencies, captured and destroyed identified bandit camps linked to a bandit leader in Konyo Gbise around Akwaza in Katsina-Ala LGA.”

The successful operation led to the capture of assorted weapons, including:

One Submachine Gun (SMG) with a magazine

A locally fabricated rifle with a magazine

7.62mm Special Ammunition

A Rifle Butt and Rifle Barrel

9mm Ammunition

Other recovered items include:

3 POS Machines

2 Generating sets

A Mobile Phone

Electrical Cables

A Painting Machine

7 Solar Panels

Half bag of suspected cannabis sativa (Indian hemp)

Different portraits of bandit leaders

The Commander of JTF OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for the successful operation and charged them to maintain pressure on all criminal elements threatening peace and security in the state.

He also called on the people of Benue to support military operations by providing credible information on criminal activities to security agencies.