32 ARTILLERY BRIGADE EMERGES OVERALL WINNER OF 2 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY INTER-BRIGADE COMBAT PROFICIENCY COMPETITION 2026

32 ARTILLERY BRIGADE EMERGES OVERALL WINNER OF 2 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY INTER-BRIGADE COMBAT PROFICIENCY COMPETITION 2026

The week-long Headquarters 2 Division Nigerian Army Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition concluded on 3 September 2026, at Owena Cantonment, Akure, Ondo State, with the host formation, 32 Artillery Brigade, emerging as the overall best formation. The competition commenced on Monday, 31 August 2026, with participation from formations within the 2 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility, namely 4 Brigade Benin, 12 Brigade Lokoja, 42 Engineers Brigade Ibadan, 2 Division Garrison Ibadan, and the host formation, 32 Artillery Brigade Akure.

The Special Guest of Honour, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, was represented at the opening by the Host Commander, Brigadier General Jibril Garba, who declared the competition open. In his remarks, the GOC stated that the competition reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening combat readiness and leadership capacity among subalterns. He noted that the exercise is timely in view of Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and is designed to sharpen the leadership skills, initiative, and operational competence of junior commanders for contemporary military operations. The GOC also expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, for his sustained support towards training and operational preparedness.

Earlier in the welcome address delivered on behalf of the Host Commander by the Chief of Staff, Colonel Anthony Ochigbo, special recognition was given to the Special Guest of Honour, whose presence underscores the premium placed by the Armed Forces on tactical excellence and war-fighting readiness. The address further acknowledged the attendance of heads of sister security agencies as evidence of the strong partnership and mutual support between the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders in maintaining peace and security in the state. It was emphasized that the competition serves as a critical platform for assessing and enhancing combat readiness, physical fitness, team cohesion, and leadership attributes of subalterns, beyond mere display and athletic rivalry.

The competition featured events including tug of war, combat swimming, map reading, and weapon handling, and culminated with obstacle crossing as the grand finale. The events provided a practical avenue for participants to demonstrate endurance, technical proficiency, and teamwork under competitive conditions. Distinguished guests at the grand finale included representatives of sister security agencies, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, captains of industry, members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, and other invited dignitaries.

At the closing ceremony, Brigadier General Mohammed Momoh represented the General Officer Commanding, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda. In his address, the GOC reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains a key stakeholder in addressing the nation’s security challenges, and that continuous training is essential to maintain operational superiority. He quoted, “we sweat more in peacetime through training and bleed less in war,” and commended all participants for the resilience and commitment displayed throughout the competition.

Brigadier General Momoh further stated that the Combat Proficiency Competition is designed to develop leadership skills, organizational ability, esprit de corps, endurance, cooperation, and initiative among young officers. He stressed that these qualities are prerequisites for battle success and operational effectiveness, as encapsulated in the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy: “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat-Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”