A soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State, Private Utim Terwase, has been rewarded with ₦500,000 for rejecting the same amount allegedly offered to him as a bribe by a suspected notorious kidnapper.
The spokesperson for the military task force in Plateau State, Captain Chinonso Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Jos on Wednesday.
Oteh said Terwase apprehended the suspect following an attempted escape but refused to release him after the suspect allegedly offered him ₦500,000 in exchange for his freedom.
He added that the soldier subsequently handed the suspect over to the appropriate authorities.
In recognition of his integrity, discipline and commitment to duty, the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. Maxwell Dangana, rewarded Terwase with ₦500,000, matching the amount he reportedly rejected as a bribe.
Oteh quoted Dangana, who spoke through the Commander of Sector 6, OPEP, Col. Philimon Malgwi, as saying that the soldier’s conduct reflected the highest standards of military professionalism, loyalty and commitment to duty expected of military personnel.
He said, “Rather than compromise his responsibility for personal gain, he upheld the values of honesty, accountability and selfless service by discharging his duties responsibly.”
According to the statement, Operation Enduring Peace considered Terwase’s action worthy of commendation and urged other personnel to emulate his exemplary conduct.
It added that the recognition reinforced the operation’s commitment to promoting accountability, ethical conduct and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
The military noted that the gesture sent a strong message to its personnel and Nigerians at large that honesty, accountability and professionalism remained important values worthy of recognition.
It added that, at a time when corruption continued to undermine public trust, Terwase’s action served as a reminder that integrity was a personal choice, even when faced with temptation.
“A soldier who refused ₦500,000 in dirty money has earned ₦500,000 in honour. Indeed, integrity pays!” the statement said.
.. “I Refused ₦500,000 In Dirty Money” — Soldier Gets ₦500,000 Reward For Rejecting Bribe From Kidnap Suspect … NewsNGR.
