The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen Faruk Yahya, on Monday evening received the eight trophies won by the Division during the 2019 Nigerian Army Small Arms competition held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Nigeria News Agency report that the Division came first in AK 47, Pistol, battle marksmanship, falling plate, female event, NA marksmanship, best shot AK47 individual event and best shot SLDR to emerge the overall winners of the competition.
The team garnered 2,276 points to beat eight teams including the host, 2 Division Ibadan.
At a ceremony to welcome the team on Monday in Kaduna, the GOC described the performance of the team as heartwarming.
“The Division came first in five events, second in two events and placed third in just one,” he noted and said they had represented the division creditably.
“In 2017, they came forth, but in 2019 we came first. This shows we are learning from experience and improving.”
The GOC said, “We appreciate you all and thank you for a job well done. We also appreciate all the staff who have put in efforts and necessary arrangements for taking care of you.
“You are actually doing your job as soldiers and it is heartwarming that you go for competition and succeed and collect trophies and laurels.
“The Division shall continue to support efforts that will always prepare its men as responsive men of the Nigerian Army in the protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief of staff, 1 Division Kaduna, Col Ibrahim Gambari, also commended the team for its prowess, noting that the last time the Division won the competition was about 20 years ago.
He attributed the team’s success to the exemplary leadership and support of the GOC.
