The Nigerian Army has rewarded a soldier serving under Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State, Private Utim Terwase, with N500,000 for rejecting an alleged bribe offered by a suspected kidnapper.
The soldier reportedly refused to release the suspect after he allegedly offered him N500,000 in exchange for his freedom.
The spokesman for the military task force in Plateau State, Captain Chinonso Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Jos on Wednesday.
According to Oteh, Terwase apprehended the suspect following an attempted escape but maintained his position despite the alleged financial inducement.
The soldier subsequently handed the suspect over to the appropriate authorities.
In recognition of his conduct, the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. Maxwell Dangana, approved a N500,000 reward for Terwase, matching the amount he reportedly rejected.
Oteh, quoting Dangana through the Commander of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, Col. Philimon Malgwi, said the soldier’s actions reflected the standards of professionalism, loyalty and commitment expected of military personnel.
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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.”
The statement said Operation Enduring Peace considered Terwase’s conduct worthy of commendation and urged other personnel to follow his example.
It added that the recognition reflected the military operation’s commitment to promoting accountability, ethical conduct and professionalism in carrying out its responsibilities.
The military also said the reward was intended to reinforce the importance of integrity and responsible conduct among personnel.
“A soldier who refused N500,000 in dirty money has earned N500,000 in honour. Indeed, integrity pays!” the statement said.