8 Division Garrison Emerges Winner at 2026 Army Inter-Brigade Contest
The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army has successfully concluded its 2026 Inter-Brigade Corporals and Below Competition, held from April 13 to 16 at the Giginya Military Cantonment.
The exercise, which ended with a closing ceremony at the Division Training School Obstacle Ground, featured a series of physically demanding and tactically driven activities aimed at enhancing the combat readiness of participating troops.
Over the four-day event, soldiers took part in various drills and contests, including drill exercises, map reading, combat swimming, skills-at-arms, and obstacle crossing, all designed to test their endurance, discipline, and operational proficiency.
Participating formations included 1 Brigade, 17 Brigade, 8 Division Garrison, 48 Engineer Brigade, and 58 Signal Brigade, drawn from the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force (Northwest) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, commended the troops for their dedication and resilience throughout the competition.
He stressed the importance of continuous training in building military professionalism, noting that soldiers often spend more time training than in actual combat operations. According to him, sustained training ensures troops remain prepared to overcome any adversary.
He urged personnel to take all training activities seriously, emphasizing that a significant part of their military careers would be devoted to constant preparation.
The GOC congratulated the participants, especially those who excelled, as well as the top-performing formations. He encouraged all units to improve on their performance ahead of future competitions.
At the end of the contest, 8 Division Garrison emerged overall winner with 590 points, while 1 Brigade secured second place with 490 points, and 58 Signal Brigade came third with 460 points.
The event was attended by representatives of various security and paramilitary agencies, with highlights including obstacle crossing demonstrations, presentation of medals and trophies to outstanding participants, and group photographs to mark the occasion.
