The Military Special Task Force responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau State has commended and rewarded eight personnel of Operation Safe Haven for their integrity and courage in rejecting a N1.5 million bribe from suspected cattle rustlers, News About Nigeria reports.
The commendation came after the personnel intercepted 30 rustled cows at the Bisichi checkpoint in the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
Captain Oya James, the spokesman for the task force, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the eight personnel, deployed at OPSH Sector 4, had conducted a stop-and-search operation, during which they intercepted the cattle belonging to one Shehu Umar.
The cows had been rustled in Mangu and were being transported to an undisclosed location.
Upon interception, the occupants of the vehicle, identified as Anas Usman, 20 years old, and Gyang Cholly, 42 years old, attempted to bribe the troops to secure a security pass for the stolen cattle.
The personnel, however, rejected the bribe and arrested the suspects, along with the money offered as a bribe.
The task force spokesman said, “The occupants of the vehicle, Anas Usman, 20 years old, and Gyang Cholly, 42 years old, immediately approached the troops in a bid to bribe them and secure a security pass for the stolen cattle. The monetary plea was rejected and the suspects were arrested, as well as the money offered for the bribe.”
Major General Abubakar, the commander of Operation Safe Haven, presented a cash reward to the personnel for their outstanding conduct.
He urged other security personnel to emulate good behaviour and maintain good conduct and bravery in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Representing the commander during the reward presentation, Brigadier General M.O. Agi, the Chief of Staff of OPSH, reiterated the importance of upholding high standards of conduct and encouraged all security personnel to follow the example set by the eight personnel.
