Army raises battle-readiness bar, tasks young officers to stay combat-ready

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The Nigerian Army has urged young officers to make fitness and continuous training a personal culture, saying operational readiness cannot be achieved through occasional exercises.

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Maj.-Gen. Kevin Ukandu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the closing of the 2026 Army Headquarters Garrison Combat Proficiency Competition.

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Ukandu said that the training was crucial to preparing young commanders for the increasingly complex security challenges confronting the country.

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He said the competition came at a critical time, with the Army simultaneously prosecuting operations across several theatres of the country.

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According to him, the Army’s transformation and expansion also demand sustained investment in training and capacity building to guarantee mission success.

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“You have more than 20 years ahead of you in this profession. You must therefore develop a personal and regular exercise regime outside institutional games and physical training,” he said.

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Ukandu urged the officers to maintain the discipline and physical fitness required to respond effectively to demanding military tasks, even without formal training.

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He said the competition had strengthened participants’ proficiency in map reading, navigation, weapon handling, combat swimming, obstacle crossing and combat endurance.

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The general commended the participants for their battle fitness, professionalism, discipline and commitment, urging them to transfer the skills acquired to their operational responsibilities.

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He said the exercise aligned with the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, to build a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.

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Earlier, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. John Lar said the competition was designed to sharpen the leadership, combat and organizational skills of young officers.

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Lar said the exercise also promoted teamwork, esprit de corps, mental resilience and the warrior ethos required of junior commanders.

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He described the competition as a practical demonstration of the Army’s commitment to continuous, realistic and mission-oriented training as the foundation of operational effectiveness.

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The commander said the participants’ performance in weapon handling, the 15-kilometer combat run, combat swimming, and obstacle crossing demonstrated the Army’s high training standards.

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He urged the officers to sustain the training tempo after returning to their formations, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges demanded constant preparedness.

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The Garrison Training Officer, Brig.-Gen. Aliyu Adamu, said the competition was preceded by 10 days of intensive training designed to prepare participants and ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

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Adamu expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his strategic guidance and financial support, and to the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. John Lar, for his leadership and support.

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The 2026 competition, which began on Aug. 17, featured participants drawn from Army Headquarters departments, commands, and establishments in Abuja, comprising three teams: Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie.

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At the end of the competition, Team Alpha emerged as the overall winner with 460 points,, while Team Charlie also scored 460 points but did not feature a female participant in weapons handling.

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Team Bravo came third with 430 points.

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