Chief of Army Staff Says Training Remains Critical as Inter Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition Commences in Jos

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to upscale training and military exercises of Junior Officers and Soldiers so as to improve their performance to address the myriads of security challenges bedevilling the Nation ranging from insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, militancy and armed robbery amongst others.

The Chief of Army Staff who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigeria Army who doubles as the Commander of the Special Task Force codenamed Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali dropped this hint at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 3 Division Inter Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition which started today at the 3 Division Small Arms Range Miango and Physical Training Ground Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos and expected to end on Thursday 8th September, 2022.

The competition is between 3 Division Garrison Jos, 6 Brigade Jalingo, 23 Brigade Yola and 33 Brigade Bauchi where a winner is expected to emerge from the four mentioned Brigades.
Maj. Gen. Ali harped on the importance of training which he said is a cardinal pillar of the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya in order to have “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission within Joint Environment in defense of Nigeria”

According to him, the combat proficiency competition is organized to enhance the training of young Officers of the ranks of 2nd Lieutenants to Captains in performing the Army’s constitutional roles of defending the territorial integrity of the Nation against external aggressors and criminal elements.

“The competition is aimed at sharpening the skills and competencies of subalterns within 3 Division Area of Responsibility in line with Army Headquarters training directive for the Year 2022.
Additionally, the competition is organized to develop the spirit of competition, cooperation and teamwork needed in the accomplishment of missions and tasks” he said.

While reminding the Participants that the competition is another avenue of the Nigerian Army training programmed to enhance their competencies and professional performance in the field, Maj. Gen. Ali charged the judges to be impartial, objective and professional in the compilation and subsequent announcement of the results of the competition.

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, the Commander 3 Division Garrison, Brig. Gen. MO Agi disclosed that the competition is one of the critical pillar of the Army Training and exercises aimed at equipping the Officers to enhance their general competencies and physical fitness in the discharge of their duties. He further urged the participating Officers to display discipline all through the competition.

The competition started with a “tug of War Competition” between the participating Brigades and was witnessed by 3 Division Garrison Commander, State Director of Department of State Service, Other Military/Paramilitary Heads in Plateau State, Brra Ngwe Irigwe the paramount ruler of Irigwe chiefdom and Chairman Bassa Traditional Council HRH Rt. Rev. Ronku Aka, the Acting Utu Ugo Kiche of Bassa, His Royal Highness Ati Adamu Ingmala and other Principal Officers of 3 Division Nigerian Army Jos.