DEFENCE
GOC 3 DIVISION REAFFIRMS SUPPORT TO UNIVERSITY OF JOS STRENGTHENS SECURITY PARTNERSHIP
GOC 3 DIVISION REAFFIRMS SUPPORT TO UNIVERSITY OF JOS STRENGTHENS SECURITY PARTNERSHIP
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Major General Maxwell Dangana has reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the University of Jos (UNIJOS), particularly in strengthening security around the institution and its immediate environment. The GOC gave the assurance on Thursday, 10 September 2026, when the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya led the management team of the institution on a courtesy visit to Headquarters 3 Division, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the GOC for granting them an audience. noting that the University had enjoyed a cordial and productive relationship with the Division over the years. He described the University and the Division as “like a family”, adding that the visit was aimed at welcoming the new GOC, introducing members of the university management and strengthening existing ties. Professor Ishaya highlighted the vulnerability of the university community due to the porosity of its environment and the large number of students drawn from across Nigeria and other countries.
He stressed that the presence of a significant number of international students in the University further underscored the need for enhanced security, noting that the University serves as an important ambassador of the country. The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the GOC for his responsiveness to the institution’s security needs and proposed greater collaboration in areas including intelligence sharing, as well as the engagement of military experts as guest lecturers to expose students and the wider university community to military strategies as well as contemporary security issues and safety guidelines.
Responding, Major General Dangana formally welcomed the Vice Chancellor and his entourage to Headquarters 3 Division and assured them of the Division’s continued support to the University. He commended his predecessor for the existing relationship with the institution, stressing that his administration would sustain the partnership while seeking to further strengthen it. The GOC noted that the University’s large population of international students places an additional responsibility on all stakeholders to ensure a secure environment, particularly as the institution represents Nigeria to the international community.
He disclosed that with the emergence of new military formations in Plateau State, the Division would leverage available resources and capabilities towards making the state safer. Major General Dangana further assured the university management that the Division would explore areas of partnership towards actualising the proposed military strategies course and related programmes, while encouraging the institution to reach out to the Division whenever assistance or professional input is required.
Highlights of the visit were presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
OLUMIDE VICTOR OLUKOYA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
Army Public Relations
3 Division Nigerian Army
10 September 2026

