Troops of Operation Safe Haven of the Defence Headquarters have 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.
Reacting during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday 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, but 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.
According to The Punch, 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.
“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, 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.
“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.
