Plateau: GOC honours soldier with ₦500,000 for rejecting suspected kidnapper’s bribe offer

From Jude Owuamanam, Jos

The General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Maj. Gen. Williams Maxwell Dangana, has rewarded a soldier, Pte. Utim Terwase, with ₦500,000 for rejecting a ₦500,000 bribe allegedly offered by an arrested suspected notorious kidnapper.

Pte. Terwase was said to have apprehended the suspect following an attempted escape.

However, when the suspect allegedly offered him money in exchange for his release, the soldier refused the bribe and instead handed him over to the appropriate authorities.

Speaking while handing the cash award to the soldier, Dangana, through the Commander of Sector 6 (OPEP), Colonel Philimon Malgwi, stated that the soldier’s conduct reflected the highest standards of military professionalism, loyalty and commitment to duty expected of personnel of the Nigerian military.

A statement signed by the Media Officer, OPEP, Capt. Polycarp Oteh, quoted the commander as saying that, rather than compromise his responsibility for personal gain, the soldier upheld the values of honesty, accountability and selfless service by discharging his duties responsibly.

The statement said: “Operation Enduring Peace therefore considers Private Terwase’s action worthy of commendation and encourages all personnel to emulate his exemplary conduct.

“The recognition also reinforces the commitment of Operation ENDURING PEACE to promoting a culture of accountability, ethical conduct and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

“In recognition of his integrity, discipline and commitment to duty, the OPEP Commander rewarded him with ₦500,000, matching the amount he reportedly refused to collect as a bribe.

“The gesture sends a strong message to military personnel and Nigerians at large that honesty, accountability and professionalism remain important values worthy of recognition.”

The GOC said that, at a time when corruption continues to undermine public trust, Private Utim Terwase’s action served as a reminder that integrity is a personal choice, even when faced with temptation.