The Nigerian Army has rewarded a soldier, Private Utim Terwase, with ₦500,000 for rejecting an alleged ₦500,000 bribe offered by a suspected kidnapper to secure his release in Plateau State.
Terwase reportedly apprehended the suspect following an attempted escape but refused to compromise his duty despite the money offered to him. He subsequently handed the suspect over to the appropriate authorities.
The cash reward was presented on Wednesday on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, by the Commander of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, Colonel Philimon Malgwi.
Speaking during the presentation, Dangana commended the soldier for demonstrating integrity, discipline and commitment to duty, describing his action as an example of the professionalism expected of military personnel.
“The soldier’s conduct reflects the highest standards of military professionalism, loyalty and commitment to duty expected of personnel of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
The GOC noted that Terwase had demonstrated honesty, accountability and selfless service by refusing to accept the money in exchange for compromising his responsibility.
He said the soldier’s conduct deserved recognition and should serve as an example to other personnel.
“Operation Enduring Peace therefore considers Private Terwase’s action worthy of commendation and encourages all personnel to emulate his exemplary conduct,” Dangana added.
He urged officers and soldiers serving under the operation to uphold the values of integrity, accountability and professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities.
The ₦500,000 reward presented to Terwase is equivalent to the amount he reportedly rejected from the suspected kidnapper.
In a similar development in 2023, the Anambra State Police Command rewarded a female police officer, Inspector Charity Oyor, with ₦250,000 for rejecting a bribe offered by a suspected cable thief in Onitsha.
Oyor was reportedly on traffic duty on August 23, 2023, when she stopped a shuttle bus conveying six bundles of stripped armoured cables suspected to have been stolen.
The suspected owner allegedly offered her money instead of providing an explanation for possessing the cables, but the officer rejected the bribe.
