The Nigerian Army has rewarded a soldier, Private Utim Terwase, with ₦500,000 for rejecting an alleged bribe offered by a suspected kidnapper seeking to secure his release in Plateau State.

Terwase reportedly apprehended the suspect after he attempted to escape custody but declined an offer of ₦500,000 in exchange for his release.

Rather than compromise his responsibility, the soldier handed the suspect over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

The cash reward was presented on Wednesday on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana.

The presentation was made by the Commander of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, Colonel Philimon Malgwi.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dangana commended Terwase for demonstrating discipline, honesty and commitment to duty.

He said the soldier's conduct reflected the standards of military professionalism, loyalty and accountability expected of personnel of the Nigerian Army.

The GOC noted that Terwase had demonstrated selfless service by refusing to compromise his responsibilities for personal gain, adding that his actions deserved recognition and should serve as an example to other military personnel.

He encouraged officers and soldiers serving under Operation Enduring Peace to emulate the soldier's conduct and uphold integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

The ₦500,000 reward was equivalent to the amount the suspect had reportedly offered Terwase to secure his release.

In a similar development in 2023, the Anambra State Police Command rewarded Inspector Charity Oyor with ₦250,000 for rejecting a bribe offered by a suspected cable thief in Onitsha.

Oyor had been on traffic duty when she stopped a shuttle bus carrying bundles of stripped armoured cables suspected to have been stolen. The driver reportedly offered her a bribe, which she declined.