The 176 Guards Battalion has emerged overall winner of the 2026 Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition, clinching the position with a commanding 390 points.

The competition, which tested endurance, discipline and operational readiness among participating units, saw 102 Battalion finish in the fifth position with 280 points, while Guards Brigade Garrison placed fourth with 290 points. 177 Battalion clinched the third position with 320 point, while the 7 Guards Battalion with the same 320 points, emerged second based on points from weapon handling performance criteria.

In the timing-based group results, 176 Battalion also dominated, finishing first with an impressive time of 17 minutes and 04 seconds.

117 Battalion came second, followed by Guards Brigade Garrison in third position, while 102 Battalion and 7 Guards Battalion placed fourth and fifth respectively.

In the individual category, Lance Corporal John Tochukulwu of 6 Guards Battalion emerged best in the male category, while Gabriel Lucy of 176 Battalion emerged best in the female category.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, described the competition as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s training framework.

“Training remains a structured and continuous process aimed at enhancing performance, imparting new skills, and fostering personal and professional growth,” he said.

Mr Onasanya stressed that the Nigerian Army placed high premium on sustained training to build discipline, resilience and teamwork among troops.

“Given the complexities of modern warfare, the need for optimal performance cannot be overemphasised. This underscores the importance of maintaining high training standards,” he stated.

The commander noted that the competition aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of “Building a more Professional, Adaptable and Combat-ready Force Capable of Operating Effectively in Joint and Multi-Agency Environments.”

“This competition has provided an excellent platform for our troops to demonstrate their proficiency, resilience, and teamwork, and I am proud of their performance thus far,” he said.

The brigade commander further commended participants, urging them to sustain discipline and sportsmanship.

He also lauded the organisers and judges for ensuring fairness and professionalism throughout the exercise.

“I urge all finalists to continue to exhibit the highest standards of discipline, sportsmanship, and determination as they strive for excellence.

“I commend the panel of judges and the organising committee for their dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring fairness and sustaining the competitive spirit,” he said.

Mr Onasanya expressed appreciation to guests, including security agencies and the media, for their support and participation in the event.

The performance of 176 Guards Battalion across multiple categories underscored its preparedness and operational strength, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to excellence and professionalism.

Individual soldiers also received awards for emerging winners in different categories of the competition.(NAN)