Troops reject ₦13.7m bribe from terrorists – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops of Operation Safe Haven rejected a ₦13.7m bribe offered by terrorists during a military operation in Plateau State.

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

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, where he outlined recent military operations across the country from July 9 to 16, 2025, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said during the encounter, two suspects in the vehicle attempted to bribe the soldiers with ₦13,742,000 in exchange for their freedom.

“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road. Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, while they declined. Troops arrested two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000.00 from them.

“Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody, ” he said.

Kangye said the troops also carried out offensive operations and responded to several distress calls in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom, and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs in Kaduna State.

He further disclosed that routine patrols led to the arrest of seven suspected militias and criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau, and Wamba and Sanga LGAs of Nasarawa and Kaduna States.

Kangye said items recovered included additional weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and illicit drugs.

He said, “Within the period 9 – 16 July 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

“While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued three kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.

“Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, while on routine patrol,l arrested seven militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Wamba and Sanga LGAs of Nasarawa and Kaduna States respectively. Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles, as well as illicit drugs.

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“He praised the professionalism and integrity of the troops, particularly for refusing the attempted bribe, stressing that the military remains committed to rooting out terrorism and criminality while upholding ethical standards.

Speaking on the successes recorded in the fight against oil theft, he said troops of Operation Delta Safe have, in the last week, apprehended 42 suspected oil thieves and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products.

Kangye added that the troops recovered 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,759 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.

He stated that troops also 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 recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 13 vehicles.

“Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives were also recovered,” he said.

Kangye further disclosed that troops also apprehended a notorious cult leader identified as Prince Johnson Ishirim, otherwise known as Commander Junior and 13 other suspected criminals/kidnappers in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers and the Oshimiri, Warri South, and Ukwani Local Government Areas of Delta. Weapons and ammunition, as well as vehicles and motorcycle,s were recovered from them.

According to him, troops also raided a criminals’ hideout in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa and arrested 28 oil thieves and some drug dealers on July 10.