The Nigerian Army has rewarded a soldier, Private Utim Terwase, with N500,000 for rejecting a bribe offered by a suspected kidnapper during an operation in Plateau State.
The reward was presented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Major General Maxwell Dangana, according to a report by Vanguard.
The incident occurred on September 5, 2026, when Sector 6 of OPEP reported the arrest of suspected kidnappers. During the operation, one of the suspects attempted to escape but was apprehended by Terwase.
The suspect then allegedly offered the soldier N500,000 to secure his release. Terwase rejected the offer and handed the suspect over to the appropriate authorities.
The spokesman for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Chinonso Oteh, said the reward was presented on behalf of the GOC by the Commander of Sector 6, Colonel Philimon Malgwi.
Oteh said Dangana commended the soldier for showing honesty, discipline and professionalism.
“The soldier’s conduct reflects the highest standards of military professionalism, loyalty and commitment to duty expected of personnel of the Nigerian Army.
“Rather than compromise his responsibility for personal gain, he upheld the values of honesty, accountability and selfless service by discharging his duties responsibly.”
The GOC said the N500,000 reward was in recognition of the soldier’s integrity, adding that the amount was equivalent to the bribe he reportedly rejected.
“Operation Enduring Peace therefore considers Private Terwase’s action worthy of commendation and encourages all personnel to emulate his exemplary conduct,” he said.
Dangana added that the recognition reinforced the operation’s commitment to promoting accountability, ethical conduct and professionalism among its personnel.
Terwase’s action echoes a similar case in Abia State, where Staff Sergeant Amoke Gunshot Simeon refused a N50 million bribe from notorious kidnap kingpin Obioma Nwankwo, also known as ‘Osisikankwu’, in 2010.
Simeon, who led the operation that ended Osisikankwu’s reign of terror in Aba, was honoured by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in March 2026. Otti pledged to sponsor the retired soldier for overseas medical treatment following injuries he sustained while on duty.
“I refused the bribe, and that brought joy to the people of Abia State,” Simeon said at the time. “A good job pays. Today, I am proud and grateful to Governor Otti for remembering me and supporting me.”
