Keffi: The Commander of the 4 Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hilary Nzan, has underscored the critical importance of physical fitness, tactical soundness, and professional discipline as essential components for the operational success of soldiers. This was highlighted during the opening of the 2025 Guards Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (WO/SNCOs) Competition in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the opening remarks were delivered by Brig.-Gen. Murtala Abuh, Chief of Staff of the 4 Special Forces Command, on behalf of Maj.-Gen. Hilary Nzan. The emphasis was placed on the readiness of soldiers' bodies, minds, and mission focus as the starting point for operational success. The necessity for personnel to maintain physical fitness, tactical proficiency, and professional grounding was stressed, especially amid the complex security challenges facing the nation.
The competition, which aligns with the Chief of Army Staff's transformation agenda, serves as a platform to enhance military skills, reinforce unit cohesion, and assess leadership efficiency. Nzan emphasized that the event comes at a crucial time as the Nigerian Army continues to play a leading role in ensuring national peace and stability. The competition aims to develop a well-trained, highly motivated, and combat-effective army capable of operating in joint and multi-agency environments.
Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, Commander of the Guards Brigade, highlighted the competition's role in the Nigerian Army's training development program for 2025. Represented by Col. Abdulrahman Bello, Onasanya pointed out that the event provides personnel an opportunity to showcase their skills, physical fitness, and leadership under realistic military conditions. The competition includes various physical and tactical challenges such as weapon handling, marksmanship, leadership drills, and organizational exercises, all designed to bolster combat capabilities and inter-unit cooperation.
The News Agency of Nigeria further reports that the competition will conclude with the selection of the best-performing units and individuals, assessed based on stringent criteria across different exercises. The event aims to foster a spirit of unity and build strategic decision-making and resilience among troops. Participants are drawn from the four battalions of the Guards Brigade, including the 7 Guards Battalion, 176 Guards Battalion, 177 Guards Battalion, and Guards Brigade Garrison, engaging in activities such as drill, endurance races, weapon handling, navigation, obstacle crossing, and swimming.