By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Guards Brigade Nigerian Army in Monday, commences its 2026 Combat Proficiency Competition, urging participating troops to uphold professionalism, discipline and high operational standards.

The competition commenced at the Brigade’s Obstacle Course, Lungi Barracks, Abuja, with 7 Guards Battalion emerging winner of the opening obstacle-crossing event.

176 Battalion and Guards Brigade Garrison emerged second and third respectively in the keenly contested event.

Declaring the competition open, Maj.-Gen. Ifeanyi Out, Director, Policy, Planning and Research, Defence Space Administration (DSA), said sustained combat training was critical to enhancing operational readiness.

Out said military effectiveness depended largely on the ability of leaders to demonstrate sound tactical judgment, physical fitness and mastery of basic soldiering skills.

“The more you train in peacetime, the less you bleed in war,” he said, stressing the importance of realistic, progressive and continuous training.

“Well-trained troops are better equipped to respond effectively to emerging threats, adapt to changing operational realities and accomplish assigned missions,” he said.

Out said training also enabled officers to develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership qualities required to command troops under demanding conditions.

He commended the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, for sustaining the initiative despite the Brigade’s operational, ceremonial and administrative commitments.

He said the competition reflected the Brigade’s commitment to professionalism, combat readiness and operational excellence.

Out said the events had been designed to test key military competencies, including physical fitness, map reading, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, skill-at-arms and shooting.

He urged participants to approach the competition with determination, discipline and healthy rivalry, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and safety.

According to him, the true value of the competition lay not only in winning, but in improving individual and collective capacity to accomplish future operational tasks.

Earlier, Onasanya said the competition was one of the Brigade’s key training activities aimed at enhancing officers’ physical fitness, tactical competence, sound judgment and leadership qualities.

He said the Brigade placed strong emphasis on professionalism and competence among officers, while ensuring that high standards of training were transferred to soldiers.

Onasanya said the competition would also strengthen teamwork and reinforce the warrior ethos expected of every Nigerian Army officer.

He listed the events to include a 15-kilometre combat run, map reading, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, skill-at-arms and shooting.

The Commander urged participants to demonstrate determination, professionalism, integrity and sportsmanship throughout the Competition.

He also directed all personnel involved in the exercise to observe stipulated safety requirements.

Onasanya expressed confidence that lessons from the competition would significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Brigade. (NAN)

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