Troops of Operation Safe Haven have rejected a ₦13.7 million bribe offered by suspected terrorists during a military operation in Plateau State. The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja, where the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, gave updates on recent military operations conducted between July 9 and 16, 2025.
According to Kangye, the troops responded to a distress call about terrorist activity and intercepted a suspicious vehicle with bullet holes along the Jos–Sanga Road. Two suspects in the vehicle allegedly attempted to bribe the troops with ₦13,742,000 to secure their release, but the soldiers declined and arrested them. Weapons, ammunition, a vehicle, and the cash were recovered, and investigations are ongoing.
In the same period, the troops conducted offensive operations and responded to threats across Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom, and Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. These operations led to the neutralization of several extremists, the arrest of 12 suspects, and the rescue of three kidnapped victims.
Routine patrols also resulted in the arrest of seven suspected criminals and militias across Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, with more weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and illicit drugs recovered.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 42 suspected oil thieves and recovered 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 1,759 litres of kerosene. They also destroyed 18 illegal crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, and 19 refining sites, while seizing vehicles, motorcycles, drilling machines, and mobile phones.
Troops also apprehended a notorious cult leader, Prince Johnson Ishirim, known as Commander Junior, along with 13 other suspects in Rivers and Delta States. Additional arrests and recoveries were made in Bayelsa State, where 28 oil thieves and drug dealers were captured during a raid on July 10. Major General Kangye praised the troops for their professionalism and integrity, reaffirming the military’s commitment to combating terrorism and oil theft across the country.
