By Nkechi Eze
Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna has formally assumed command as the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, following a handover ceremony at the Headquarters of 8 Division, Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto.
The development was confirmed in an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba. According to the statement, Major General Koughna takes over from Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, whose tenure recorded notable progress in counter-banditry and broader security operations across the North West.
In his inaugural address, Major General Koughna expressed profound appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to build on the operational achievements of his predecessor while intensifying efforts to enhance security, stability and public confidence across the division’s area of responsibility.
The new GOC assured officers and men of his commitment to teamwork, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations, stressing that sustained collaboration with other security agencies and host communities would remain central to the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Earlier in his valedictory remarks, the outgoing GOC, Major General Ajose, congratulated his successor and described him as a seasoned commander with deep operational insight. He expressed confidence that Major General Koughna’s wealth of experience and leadership capacity would further strengthen the fight against terrorism and banditry in the region, noting his strong understanding of the North West security environment.
Major General Koughna is a highly decorated senior officer of the Nigerian Army, widely respected for his leadership acumen, strategic depth and unwavering dedication to national and international security. Born on 20 November 1972, he is a member of the 43rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1996.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with Honours from the Nigerian Defence Academy, a Master of Science degree in National Security and War Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan, as well as a Certificat d’Études Françaises (Premier Degré) obtained in France.
His distinguished military career spans a wide range of command, staff and instructional appointments, including Assistant Deputy Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, Senior Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Commanding Officer of 26 Battalion, Sokoto, Defence Adviser at the Nigerian High Commission in Islamabad, Chief of Staff 6 Division, Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Director of Civil-Military Affairs at Army Headquarters and Deputy Chief of Operations at Army Headquarters, Department of Army Operations. He now assumes office as the 11th General Officer Commanding 8 Division.
Major General Koughna also brings extensive operational experience from both international peacekeeping and domestic security operations. His deployments include the ECOWAS Monitoring Group mission in Sierra Leone, where he contributed to stabilising a war-torn nation; Operation Harmony IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, where he played a key role in resolving complex territorial challenges; and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of Africa’s most volatile conflict theatres.
Within Nigeria, he has led and participated in several high-impact operations, including Operation Restore Peace in Bakura Forest and Operation HADIN KAI in Buni Gari, where he spearheaded counter-insurgency efforts against terrorist groups. His exceptional performance in the North East earned him the Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal for his role in operations against Boko Haram terrorists.
Beyond the battlefield, Major General Koughna is also a respected author and thought leader on leadership and strategy. His publications include Rivulets of Wisdom published in 2005, which explores principles of leadership and personal development, and Battle Leadership released in 2024, a practical and theoretical guide for military leaders drawn from combat experience.
Married with three children, the new GOC balances his demanding professional life with personal interests that include reading and playing squash, reflecting his intellectual curiosity and competitive spirit.
As he assumes command of 8 Division and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Koughna brings a blend of operational depth, strategic vision and resolute leadership. His appointment is widely seen as a boost to ongoing efforts to strengthen security, foster stability and sustain operational momentum across the North West region.
