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 charged junior commanders to maintain a high level of combat readiness, physical fitness and professional competence at all times.
News Point Nigeria reports that Koughna gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition held at Giginya Military Cantonment, Sokoto.
The five-day competition brought together participating formations under the 8 Division to assess the operational capabilities of junior commanders through a series of demanding physical, tactical and technical exercises.
The 8 Division Garrison emerged overall winner of the competition, while 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, secured second position and 17 Brigade finished as runner-up.
The competition subjected the participating officers to rigorous tests designed to measure their combat skills, physical endurance, technical competence and ability to make effective decisions and execute assigned tasks under pressure.
Among the major activities featured in the competition were a 10-kilometre combat run, 4×400-metre combat relay race, range weapon handling, map reading, obstacle crossing and various tactical combat drills.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony, the GOC reminded the officers that combat readiness remains central to the Nigerian Army’s operational philosophy, noting that the first pillar of the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy focuses on maintaining a force prepared to respond effectively to security challenges.
According to him, the individual soldier remains a critical component of combat effectiveness, stressing that physical and mental fitness are fundamental requirements for anyone entrusted with the responsibility of leading troops.
“The soldier, as an individual, is the first weapon of war, and the primary requirement of any soldier is to be fit to fight. Therefore, to effectively lead men, it fundamentally requires junior commanders to maintain peak physical and mental fitness,” Koughna said.
The GOC further challenged the participating junior commanders to ensure that the lessons and experiences acquired during the competition do not end with the event, but are transferred to their respective units and personnel.
He urged them to take the spirit of the competition back to their men and translate the discipline, teamwork, endurance and professionalism demonstrated during the exercises into improved performance during routine assignments and actual operations.
Koughna also expressed satisfaction with the performances recorded throughout the competition, commending the participating formations for their competitive spirit, discipline and high level of professionalism.
He noted that such exercises provide an important platform for identifying strengths, addressing weaknesses and preparing commanders and troops for the realities of modern military operations.
The successful conclusion of the 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition, according to the Army, further underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to realistic and result-oriented training, personnel development, welfare and sustained operational readiness across its formations.