…GOC charges junior commanders to remain battle-ready
By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
The 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army has emerged overall winner of the 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition, with the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force, North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, charging junior commanders to translate lessons from the competition into greater combat readiness.
The competition, hosted by the 8 Division Garrison at the Giginya Military Cantonment in Sokoto, brought together formations under the division for a rigorous assessment of combat preparedness, physical endurance, technical competence, tactical awareness and leadership under pressure.
At the end of the exercise, the 8 Division Garrison emerged first, while 1 Brigade Nigerian Army took second position and 17 Brigade finished third.
The competition was designed to expose junior commanders to realistic military challenges and assess their ability to lead troops effectively in physically and mentally demanding situations.
Participants took part in a series of activities, including a 10-kilometre combat run, 4×400-metre combat relay, weapons handling at the range, map reading, obstacle crossing and other tactical drills.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony, Koughna said combat readiness remained fundamental to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army, in line with the first pillar of the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy.
He reminded the junior commanders that the individual soldier remained the first weapon of war, stressing the need for every soldier to maintain physical and mental preparedness for battlefield challenges.
According to him, being “fit to fight” was not merely a slogan but a fundamental requirement for military personnel, particularly commanders responsible for leading troops in complex and unpredictable operational environments.
The GOC urged the participating officers to take the discipline, competitive spirit and lessons acquired during the exercise back to their respective formations and use them to improve training, leadership and operational performance.
He specifically charged the junior commanders to ensure that the experience gained during the competition translated into practical improvements in their routine duties and ongoing operations.
Koughna also stressed the importance of physical and mental fitness among commanders, saying they must be capable of leading from the front and inspiring their troops through personal example, discipline and professional competence.
He commended all participating formations for their determination, professionalism and competitive spirit throughout the exercise, describing their performance as evidence of the importance attached to realistic and continuous training within the Nigerian Army.
The successful conclusion of the competition reinforces the Army’s emphasis on professional development, physical fitness and realistic training as key components of maintaining operational effectiveness.
The exercise also provided a practical platform for strengthening the leadership skills, operational capacity and combat preparedness of junior commanders within the 8 Division and its formations.
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