The General Officer Commanding 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 sustain peak combat readiness, physical fitness and professional competence in the discharge of their duties.
Major General Koughna gave the charge at the conclusion of the 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition at Giginya Military Cantonment, Sokoto, where 8 Division Garrison emerged overall winner.
1 Brigade Nigerian Army secured second position, while 17 Brigade finished as runner-up in the rigorous military exercise, which tested the combat effectiveness and leadership capacity of junior commanders across formations under the Division.
The competition featured a 10-kilometre combat run, 4x400-metre combat relay, weapon handling, map reading, obstacle crossing and other tactical combat drills designed to test physical endurance, technical competence and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, the GOC stressed that combat readiness remains central to the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness, noting that the soldier is the first weapon of war and must, therefore, remain “fit to fight.”
He urged the junior commanders to take the lessons and competitive spirit of the exercise back to their respective units and translate them into improved performance in both routine and operational duties.
Major General Koughna also commended the participating formations for their professionalism and competitive spirit, describing the exercise as a reflection of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to realistic training and sustained operational readiness.
The competition, he said, must serve not merely as a contest for honours, but as a platform for building physically fit, mentally alert and combat-ready leaders capable of effectively leading troops in the increasingly demanding security environment.
