The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, and Commander Sector 2, North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgha Koughna, says training remains a critical platform to enhance Nigeria Army Operational Capabilities.
General Koughna stated this while declaring closed a five-day 2026 8 Division Inter-Brigade Competition for corporals and below in Sokoto State.
According to him, continuous training and capacity building remain non-negotiable in the Army’s 8 Division area of responsibility.
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He stressed that exercises like this, directly strengthen combat effectiveness against banditry, insurgency, and other evolving threats.
The GOC stated that the division would continue to intensify its training programmes to keep troops updated on current tactics, techniques and procedures, while also adopting new ones in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy.
He said the energy, commitment, and discipline shown by all formations reflected positively on the Army’s ongoing efforts to build a force capable of responding to Nigeria’s complex security environment.
“This remarkable event is the product of hard work, discipline, and resourcefulness.
“We have witnessed passion, resilience, skill, and professionalism, all of which reflect the combat readiness of our troops,” General Koughna said.
The GOC congratulated the winners and urged other formations to improve their performance in future competitions.
He noted that areas of weakness observed during the competition would be strengthened, while areas of strength would be further consolidated.
According to him, the competition was organised to enhance physical fitness, improve firing skills, encourage esprit de corps, strengthen inter-unit relationships, and boost overall combat readiness among troops.
Major General Koughna also appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his continued support, particularly in the provision of resources for training activities.
He further thanked heads of sister security agencies in the state for their presence at the event and their continuous support to the division.
He commended the host formation, the Chief Judge and his team, as well as the organisers for excellent coordination and logistics that kept the multi-day event running smoothly through out the exercise.
The competition is a key calendar event for the Nigerian Army. It tests junior soldiers who form the backbone of frontline operations, and it serves as a benchmark for measuring unit-level preparedness across formations.
The event included weapon handling, obstacle crossing, map reading, endurance marches, and tactical field exercises designed to mirror real battlefield conditions.
The closing ceremony featured the presentation of awards and souvenirs to top-performing teams. Invited dignitaries, senior officers, and partner agencies also received mementos in appreciation of their support.
The contest, which wrapped up on Thursday, drew formations from across the Division’s area of responsibility.
At the end, 8 Division Garrison emerged 1st position, while 1st Brigade secured second place while 58 Signal Brigade took third, rounding out a tightly contested podium.