Troops Reject ₦13.7m Bribe, Bust Terrorists, Oil Thieves

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that troops of Operation Safe Haven displayed exceptional integrity by rejecting a ₦13.7 million bribe offered by terrorists during an operation in Plateau State.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, during a press briefing in Abuja, where he detailed the military’s achievements across the country from July 9 to 16, 2025.

According to Kangye, the troops were acting on a distress call about terrorist activities when they intercepted a suspicious vehicle riddled with bullet holes along the Jos-Sanga Road.

Upon interception, two suspects inside the vehicle attempted to offer the soldiers a bribe amounting to ₦13,742,000 in exchange for their release. The soldiers, however, firmly rejected the offer and arrested the suspects.

He said, “On July 9, 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos-Sanga Road. The suspects tried to induce the soldiers with monetary gratification, but the troops declined.

“Consequently, they arrested two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle, and the sum of ₦13,742,000 from them. The investigation is ongoing while the recovered items remain in the custody of the troops.”

In addition to this feat, Kangye reported that troops intensified their efforts across several Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Plateau and Kaduna States.

Offensive operations and rapid responses to distress calls were conducted in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom, and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs in Kaduna State.

These operations led to direct engagements with extremist elements, some of whom were neutralized.

The troops also arrested 12 suspects and successfully rescued three kidnapped victims. Several weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and vehicles were seized during these engagements.

Furthermore, the troops, while conducting routine patrols, apprehended seven suspected militia members and criminals across Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs in Plateau State, and Wamba and Sanga LGAs in Nasarawa and Kaduna States respectively. Items recovered included additional weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and illicit drugs.

Major General Kangye commended the troops for their professionalism and commitment to ethical conduct, particularly in resisting corruption through bribery.

He reiterated the military’s unwavering determination to eradicate terrorism and criminal activities across the nation.

Providing updates on the fight against oil theft, Kangye disclosed that troops of Operation Delta Safe made significant progress within the week under review.

A total of 42 suspected oil thieves were arrested, and substantial quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products were recovered.

Specifically, the troops recovered 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and 1,759 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.

In addition to these recoveries, the troops discovered and destroyed 18 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums, and 19 illegal refining sites. Other items seized included pumping and drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 13 vehicles.

Kangye further reported that troops apprehended a notorious cult leader, identified as Prince Johnson Ishirim, also known as Commander Junior, alongside 13 other suspected criminals and kidnappers.

These arrests were made in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State, and in Oshimili, Warri South, and Ukwani LGAs of Delta State. Weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and motorcycles were among the items recovered from them.

Additionally, on July 10, troops raided a criminal hideout in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, where they arrested 28 oil thieves and apprehended some drug dealers.

Overall, the DHQ highlighted these operations as evidence of the military’s sustained commitment to national security, the fight against terrorism, oil theft, and other forms of criminality, while maintaining high ethical standards in all engagements.