Maxwell Dangana, a Major General and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) has rewarded Utim Terwase, a Benue born soldier and a private in Nigerian Army with N500,000 for rejecting an alleged bribe offered by a suspected notorious kidnapper.
Military sources said Terwase apprehended the suspect following an attempted escape but rejected money allegedly offered in exchange for his release and subsequently handed him over to the appropriate authorities.
Confirming the development, Polycarp Oteh, a captain and spokesman for Operation Enduring Peace said the reward was presented on behalf of the GOC by Pholimon Malgwi, a colonel and Commander of Sector 6.
Oteh said Dangana, who spoke through Malgwi during the presentation, commended the soldier for demonstrating honesty, discipline and professionalism.
He said: “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 and commitment to duty, 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.
He said the military would continue to encourage personnel to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with integrity, discipline and dedication.
Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.
