Major General Maxwell Dangana, GOC of 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, relocates his tactical headquarters to Mangu LGA and launches Operation Hard Nut following the Binper community attack that killed over 20.
Mangu, Plateau State — August 19, 2026
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, has relocated his tactical headquarters from Jos to Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, following Tuesday's deadly attack on Binper community in Kombun District. Reports on the death toll from the attack vary slightly by outlet, ranging from 23 to 25 people killed, including women and children.
Dangana arrived in Mangu on Wednesday alongside additional troops, equipment, and operational resources, and announced the launch of a renewed military offensive codenamed "Operation Hard Nut," aimed at dismantling armed criminal networks operating in the area.
Addressing troops at the Mangu Local Government Council headquarters, Dangana said he would personally oversee operations from Mangu for two weeks to maintain real-time oversight of the security situation.
He told soldiers that his presence came with substantial reinforcements, and issued a firm directive that any armed threat encountered should be met decisively.
He described "Operation Hard Nut" as focused on clearing terrorist hideouts, strengthening the military's footprint in vulnerable communities, and rebuilding public confidence following the recent surge in attacks.
He said the Chief of Army Staff had approved the deployment of additional troops and equipment to support the operation, and appealed to residents to support the effort with credible intelligence.
The relocation marks one of the most direct responses yet to the wave of violence that has struck Mangu LGA in recent days, following the Binper attack and a separate assault just a day earlier on Jwak Maitumbi community that residents say killed as many as 30 people and destroyed dozens of homes.
The back-to-back attacks had prompted mounting calls from residents, youth groups, and civil society organisations for the state's new Commissioner of Police and federal security agencies to act decisively.
As of this report, it remained unclear how "Operation Hard Nut" would differ operationally from the existing framework of Operation Enduring Peace, though the physical relocation of the GOC's command post to Mangu represents a significant shift in the military's operational posture in the area.
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