8 Division Inter-Brigade Competition: GOC Charges Junior Commanders on Combat Readiness
8 Division Inter-Brigade Competition: GOC Charges Junior Commanders on Combat Readiness
8 Division Inter-Brigade Competition: GOC Charges Junior Commanders on Combat Readiness
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, has urged junior commanders to maintain high levels of combat readiness, physical fitness and professional competence in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Major General Koughna gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition, held at Giginya Military Cantonment, Sokoto.
At the end of the competition, 8 Division Garrison emerged overall winner, while 1 Brigade Nigerian Army placed second and 17 Brigade finished third.
The competition was designed to assess the combat effectiveness, leadership skills and physical endurance of junior commanders across formations under the Division.
Participants competed in a series of demanding military exercises, including a 10-kilometre combat run, 4×400-metre combat relay, weapon handling, map reading, obstacle crossing and other tactical combat drills.
Addressing participants at the ceremony, Major General Koughna emphasised that combat readiness remains fundamental to the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness.
He described the soldier as the first weapon of war, stressing the importance of remaining “fit to fight” at all times.
The GOC urged the participating junior commanders to take the lessons, discipline and competitive spirit gained from the exercise back to their respective formations and apply them to both routine responsibilities and operational duties.
He also commended the participating formations for their professionalism, commitment and competitive spirit, noting that the exercise demonstrated the Army’s commitment to realistic training and sustained operational preparedness.
According to him, the competition should be viewed beyond the pursuit of trophies and recognition, serving instead as a platform for developing physically fit, mentally alert and professionally competent commanders capable of effectively leading troops in an increasingly demanding security environment.
The exercise further underscored the Nigerian Army’s continued emphasis on training, leadership development and operational readiness as key elements in strengthening its capacity to respond effectively to emerging security challenges.
8 Division Inter-Brigade Competition: GOC Charges Junior Commanders on Combat Readiness
