The Nigerian Army has flagged off its 2025 Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition in Katsina, with a strong charge to officers and soldiers to uphold discipline, resilience, and professionalism in the face of evolving security challenges.
The week- long competition-25th to 29th August 2025, hosted by the 17 Brigade Nigerian Army, brings together formations under the 8 Division to test their physical fitness, tactical knowledge, marksmanship, and endurance in a bid to sharpen operational readiness.
Declaring the event open, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major Gen. I A Ajose, represented by the the commander 17 Brigade, Brigadier Gen. B. O Omapariola, commended the participants for their commitment to excellence and reminded them that the essence of the exercise goes beyond winning medals.
He stressed that discipline, teamwork, and resilience are the core values that sustain the Nigerian Army’s operations, particularly in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry campaigns across the North-West.
The Commander said the competition is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of “transforming the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force capable of operating in a joint environment.”
He explained that such exercises are designed to instill confidence, strengthen esprit de corps, and ensure troops are combat-ready for real-life missions, especially in fighting against banditry in the northwest.
Events lined up for the competition include weapon handling, map reading, obstacle crossing, combat swimming, and endurance races.
The exercise is expected to promote healthy rivalry among the participating brigades while reinforcing unity of purpose within the Nigerian Army.
The opening ceremony was attended by top military officers, representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, and members of the host community, who pledged continued support to the Nigerian Army’s operations in Katsina State.
The competition will climax with an award ceremony where outstanding brigades and individual soldiers will be honored for their performance.