Benue: OPWS troops foil bandit operation, recover weapons in Katsina-Ala

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have killed one suspected bandit and recovered arms, ammunition and other items along the Gbise–Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

A statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said the troops had continued to sustain aggressive fighting patrols across the Joint Operations Area, recording yet another operational success.

Zubairu explained that troops of Sector 1 were conducting a routine fighting patrol on September 2, 2026, when they encountered two suspected bandits on a motorcycle along the Gbise–Igyudu axis.

He said that, after positively identifying the armed suspects, the troops immediately engaged them, resulting in a fierce exchange of fire.

According to him, during the encounter, one of the suspected bandits was neutralised, while the second suspect fled the scene after being overwhelmed by superior firepower.

He said the troops subsequently conducted a thorough search and clearance operation in the area to ensure that the fleeing suspect did not pose an immediate threat to surrounding communities.

Items recovered during the operation included one pistol, one pistol magazine, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two 9mm rounds and one PKT round.

The troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone and assorted charms from the scene.

The force urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with troops and other security and law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information on the activities and movements of suspected criminals, as such information remains critical to a swift and decisive response to emerging threats.

OPWS pledged to continue dominating its operational areas through sustained patrols and other intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and denying them the opportunity to threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.