The Headquarters 8 Division, Nigerian Army, under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, has hosted participants of the Air Force War College Course 12/2026 as part of their National Study Tour focused on strengthening strategic air power integration in national security operations.
The study tour, themed “State Resources and Air Power: National Development in Northwest Nigeria in Focus,” is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of how air power can support civil authority, enhance security, and drive socio-economic development across the region.
In a statement by Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the Commandant of the Air Force War College, Air Vice Marshal Gambo Mbaka, said the exercise bridges classroom learning with real-world operational experience.
Mbaka explained that participants were split into three teams for field engagements, with Team A deployed to Sokoto State, Team B to Kebbi State, and Team C to Zamfara State, to enable broader exposure to the security landscape in the North-West.
He noted that the tour offers firsthand insight into prevailing security challenges while highlighting ongoing collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Army, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, and other security agencies in addressing threats in the region.
The Commandant emphasized that while theoretical knowledge in operational planning remains essential, practical engagement with institutions enhances decision-making, professional judgment, and operational readiness.
He also commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Major General Bemgba Koughna, for the support and warm reception accorded to the delegation.
Representing the GOC, the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, welcomed the participants and reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to inter-agency cooperation and continuous professional development within the Armed Forces.
Activities during the tour included operational briefings on 8 Division and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, engagements with the Sokoto State Government on governance and security strategies, and a cultural visit to the Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Bureau to enhance participants’ understanding of the region’s historical context.
The Nigerian Army said the initiative underscores its commitment to joint operations, capacity building, and integrated approaches to national security and development.
