The 12 Brigade, Lokoja, has emerged the overall winner of the 2026 Nigerian Army 2 Division Inter-Brigade Competition for Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (WOS/SNCOs), held in Kogi State.
The four-day competition, which ran from July 7 to July 10 at Chari Maigumeri Barracks, the headquarters of the 12 Brigade in Lokoja, ended on Friday with a colourful closing ceremony attended by senior military officers, security chiefs and invited guests.
Announcing the results, Chief Judge of the competition, Lt. Col. Abidemi Aderibigbe, said the host formation secured first place with 460 points.
According to him, the 2 Division Garrison in Ibadan finished second with 430 points after recording a better time in the obstacle-crossing event, while the 4 Brigade in Benin placed third with the same score but a slower completion time.
He added that the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, came fourth with 370 points, followed by the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, with 300 points. The 42 Engineering Brigade, Ibadan, finished sixth with 260 points and received the symbolic “Wooden Spoon” award.
The competition featured several military exercises designed to test participants’ operational skills, including drill, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, map reading, shooting and weapon handling.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Kasim Sidi, described every participant as a winner, stressing that the event was aimed at strengthening endurance, teamwork and professionalism rather than creating divisions.
He said the competition reflected the Nigerian Army’s spirit of unity, noting that officers and soldiers work together regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds to confront security challenges.
Sidi praised all participants for their discipline, commitment and sportsmanship, while also commending the Local Organising Committee for ensuring a successful and transparent competition.
He noted that the exercise aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.
The brigade commander also expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. C.R. Nnebeife, for approving Lokoja as the host of the competition.
Declaring the event closed, the Special Guest of Honour and Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, Commodore Adesola Ojo, urged participants to sustain the professionalism and combat readiness demonstrated throughout the competition.
Ojo said the event successfully enhanced leadership capacity, physical fitness and teamwork among warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers, encouraging them to apply the knowledge and experience gained to improve operational effectiveness in their respective formations.
He also commended the organisers and the leadership of the 12 Brigade for hosting a successful and well-coordinated competition.
