According to a report by The Sun on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Johnny Ucheaga, former National Administrative Secretary of the defunct National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN), has shared an interesting account of how a meeting with the late President Muhammadu Buhari, during his days as an undergraduate at the University of Jos, helped avert a potential clash between soldiers and students in the city.
At the time of the incident, Buhari was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, and tensions were rising following a misunderstanding between soldiers and a student.
According to Ucheaga, the trouble began when soldiers stationed at the gate of the university stopped a student and seized his car.
The incident upset many students, as there had previously been no major issues between them and the military personnel.
The seizure of the car created agitation among the students, and there were growing discussions about confronting the soldiers to retrieve it.
Ucheaga, concerned about the possible consequences, suggested that the matter be reported to the Vice Chancellor so he could intervene.
His proposal earned him the nickname “Delegation” among his peers, as they often hailed him by that name across the campus.
Acting on his suggestion, Ucheaga approached the Vice Chancellor personally, explaining that the students were prepared to go and retrieve the car by force, which could easily escalate into violence.
The Vice Chancellor then asked if Ucheaga would be willing to speak directly with the GOC about the matter, and upon his agreement, gave him the go-ahead.
Determined to prevent a crisis, he went straight to the military gate and informed the soldiers that he wished to speak to their GOC regarding the seized car.
Initially, they questioned his presence and involvement, but after he explained that the Vice Chancellor had sent him to help avoid a violent confrontation, they allowed him to proceed.
Upon entering the GOC’s office, Ucheaga met Buhari in a calm and relaxed state, reading a newspaper, Buhari insisted that he sit down before speaking.
Ucheaga apologized for the incident and explained that the seizure of the student’s car had caused tension in the university, and he feared it could lead to a violent clash.
Buhari listened attentively and then inquired why Ucheaga had not simply spoken to the soldiers at the gate.
Ucheaga explained that although he had seen the car, he felt it was necessary to speak directly to the commander to ensure a peaceful resolution.
In a light-hearted moment, Buhari asked why he did not have a gun if he intended to get involved in disputes with soldiers, to which Ucheaga replied that he was only trying to mediate.
Amused by the response, Buhari decided to personally accompany him outside.
Addressing his soldiers, Buhari questioned why they had interfered with the students, reminding them that they too had children at home.
He then ordered them to release the vehicle immediately, which brought an end to the tension.
He said: I went and I saw the man, a simple man, reading newspapers, and I greeted him. I stood up, he said I should sit down. I said “Sir, I came for,” he interrupted me and said unless I sat down. I sat down and I said I was sorry for the altercation between our student and your men and it led to the detention of his vehicle.
He asked, you said detention of vehicle of your student? I said, yes. Why should I come to see him or didn’t I see his men at the gate to report to? I said I saw the car while I was coming in, he said I should go and carry it.
I said sir, your people have guns, but I don’t have. He laughed and asked, why don’t you have gun? So, you can make trouble with soldier and when trouble starts you don’t know what to do? I said, not me, I’m only trying to help him release his car.
