The Nigerian Army on Thursday ended its Inter-Brigade Combat and Proficiency Competition with 8 Division Garrison emerging as the overall winner.
The event, which was held at the training ground of the 26 Battalion, Sokoto, saw 17 Brigade Katsina contingents clinching the second position while 1 Brigade Gusau, Zamfara State, emerged second runner-up.
It was gathered that the three Brigades of the 8 Division Nigerian Army, including 8 Division garrison, 17 Brigade, and 1 Brigade participated in the competition.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj.-Gen.Godwin Mutkut said the competition was meant to enhance the strength, confidence, and combat readiness of the officers to face any security challenge.
Mutkut noted that the aims and objectives of the five-day competition had been achieved.
He commended the participants and implored them to be more productive in their given tasks.
He explained that the competition was organized to improve junior leadership training, organisational ability and to inculcate initiative in the stipulated rank perfect of non-commission officers in the division.
“Apart from competing among yourselves, I believe that the competition has fostered what we all desired to achieve.
“Likewise, the stamina and endurance displayed by the various commission during the combat and just concluded obstacle competition is indeed highly commendable.
“Those of you that performed well in this competition would be privileged to represent the division at Nigerian Army level organized and competition,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, the Garrison Commander, 8 Division Brig Gen Taye Ahmed, and the host of the competition commended the participants for their hard work, urging them not to relent and try to do more in the next competition.
The participants competed in proficiency-enhancing competitions such as swimming, weapon handling, map reading, and navigation, as well as shooting and obstacle crossing.