3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, has emerged overall winner of the 2024 Inter-Division Combat Platoon Obstacle Crossing Competition.
The division, who scored 1000 points during the competition, was declared winner at the closing of the exercise on Saturday in Jos.
Speaking at the event, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), said that the competition, a yearly activity, is part of the training and retraining of personnel.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the Deputy Chief of Training, Army Headquarters, added that the competition aimed at testing and enhancing the physical and mental capabilities of troops in a competitive atmosphere.
”This obstacle crossing skills is a major requirement by troops in combat for boosting effectiveness and professional competence in the field.
”The commitment of the Nigerian army in operations across the country has denied these competing formations sufficient time for adequate training.
”This competition which is also a training exercise is one of the major pillars in achieving my vision of having a well-prepared and capable Nigerian army,”he said.
The COAS, who thanked the participants for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, commended the judges for being impartial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COAS was flanked at the event by the Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding 3 division and Commander, Operation Safe Haven.
Some serving and retired military officers, heads of para-military organisations and traditional rulers attended the event.
NAN also reports that 2 Division, Ibadan, emerged the runner up, while Army Headquarters Garrison, came third having scored 900 and 800 points, respectively.
Other formations that participated in the competition were, 1 Division, Kaduna, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, 81 Division, Lagos, and 82 Division, Enugu.(NAN)
