32 Artillery Brigade Wins 2 Division Nigerian Army Combat Proficiency Competition
AKURE, Ondo State — The 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, has emerged overall winner of the 2026 2 Division Nigerian Army Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition held at Owena Cantonment, Akure.
The week-long competition, which ended on Thursday, September 3, brought together formations under the 2 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility, including 4 Brigade, Benin; 12 Brigade, Lokoja; 42 Engineers Brigade, Ibadan; 2 Division Garrison, Ibadan; and the host 32 Artillery Brigade.
The competition was designed to test the combat readiness, physical fitness, technical competence, leadership skills, teamwork and endurance of participating personnel through a series of demanding military exercises.
The events included tug of war, combat swimming, map reading and weapon handling, while obstacle crossing served as the grand finale.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, represented by Brigadier General Mohammed Momoh, said continuous training remained essential to maintaining operational effectiveness in the face of Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He said the competition was aimed at developing leadership, initiative, organisational ability, cooperation, endurance and esprit de corps among young officers, noting that the qualities were essential for success in combat operations.
The GOC, who quoted the military maxim, “we sweat more in peacetime through training and bleed less in war,” commended participants for their resilience, discipline and commitment throughout the competition.
At the opening ceremony, the GOC, who was represented by the Host Commander, Brigadier General Jibril Garba, said the exercise reflected the Army’s renewed emphasis on combat readiness and leadership development among subalterns.
He noted that the competition was particularly relevant given the country’s changing security environment, as it provided an avenue for junior commanders to sharpen their initiative, leadership abilities and operational competence.
The Army also acknowledged the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, towards training and operational preparedness.
Earlier, the Chief of Staff, 32 Artillery Brigade, Colonel Anthony Ochigbo, who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Host Commander, said the exercise went beyond competition, describing it as an important platform for evaluating and improving the combat preparedness of participating personnel.
He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Nigerian Army and sister security agencies in maintaining peace and security in Ondo State.
The grand finale was attended by 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 guests.
The event ended with the presentation of trophies to winning formations, medals to outstanding participants and souvenirs to invited guests, followed by a group photograph.
The competition is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment
