In an act of rare bravery and integrity that’s now being hailed across the country, Nigerian troops stationed along the Jos–Sanga Road in Plateau State turned down a ₦13.7 million bribe offered by two suspected terrorists.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) made the revelation on Thursday, during a press briefing in Abuja led by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye. The soldiers, who had been responding to a distress call about terrorist activities, intercepted the suspects’ vehicle riddled with bullet holes. In a desperate bid to escape justice, the suspects allegedly offered the troops ₦13.7 million in cash.
“But our troops refused,” Kangye confirmed. “They stood their ground, arrested the suspects, and recovered the money, weapons, ammunition, and a vehicle. All items are currently in safe custody.”
This incident is just one of several major wins recorded by the Nigerian military over the past week. Troops also launched coordinated offensive operations in parts of Plateau and Kaduna states—including Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Wase South, Riyom, and Jos East LGAs, as well as Kaura and Sanga in Kaduna.
In these operations, at least 12 suspects were arrested, several terrorists were neutralised, and three kidnapped victims were rescued. Recovered items included weapons, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, and even stashes of illicit drugs used by the criminal elements.
In a related operation under Operation Safe Haven, troops on patrol in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs in Plateau, as well as Wamba and Sanga LGAs in Nasarawa and Kaduna, arrested seven more suspects linked to militia and criminal activities.
For Kangye, these victories highlight more than just tactical superiority—they demonstrate that Nigeria’s armed forces are committed to protecting lives without compromise. “Our troops continue to show resilience, professionalism, and a deep sense of patriotism,” he said. “Rejecting such a large bribe is proof that their loyalty is to the nation, not to personal gain.”
The Defence Headquarters also used the opportunity to call on citizens to be active partners in the fight against insecurity. “We can’t do this alone. We need communities to report suspicious movements, and the media to tell these stories truthfully and boldly.”
With the investigations ongoing, many Nigerians are praising the troops’ actions as a defining moment of ethical leadership in the face of impunity. In a country where trust in public institutions can sometimes feel fragile, these soldiers remind us that integrity still holds ground.
As Kangye concluded: “We are not just fighting terrorists. We are fighting for the soul of this nation—and we will not be bought.”
