By Sumaila Ogbaje
Troops of Army Headquarters Garrison on Wednesday emerged the overall winners of the 2023 Inter-Formation Combat Obstacle Crossing Competition.
The competition, held at the 7 Guards Obstacle Course in Lungi Barracks Abuja, had participants drawn from a total of seven Army Divisions and the AHQ Garrison.
The 82 Division was second on the log followed by 2 Division which took the third position.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was a simulation of real-time battle in which 304 personnel were generated from the competing formations with each formation providing 33 personnel and five reserves.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, congratulated the participants for a good outing.
Lagbaja pledged continuous training of troops to make them combat ready and prepared to surmount the security challenges confronting Nigeria.
According to him, the objectives of the competition have been largely achieved, and commended the technical team for adhering to prescribed standards.
The COAS expressed the hope that the lessons learned from the competition would pave the way for positive improvements in troops’ performance during operations.
“With the objectives of this competition largely achieved, you can all be adjudged as winners, I must however, single out and specially congratulate AHQ Garrison that emerged overall winners.
“To all formations, I urge you to embrace the culture of individual fitness, training, teamwork and early preparations as you engage in other future tasks.
“Finally, I wish to reiterate my commitment and unflinching support and drive for qualitative training in the army,” Lagbaja added.
NAN reports that the Acting Director, Physical Training, Brig.-Gen. Abdulraheem Bello, announced the result of the competition, while Lt.-Col. Suleiman Hussein gave the highlight.
Hussain said the obstacles crossing competition was designed to test operational fitness of troops under competitive atmosphere, and build their professional competencies within joint environment.
He said the competitors scaled through 15 crossings, and covered 2.4 kilometres. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed