Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna has formally assumed duty as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The change of command took place during a handover ceremony held at the Headquarters of 8 Division, Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto. Major General Koughna succeeded Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, whose tenure recorded notable gains in counter-banditry and other 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 consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor while intensifying efforts to improve security and stability within the Division’s area of responsibility.
“I am fully committed to sustaining the momentum already established and working with all stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in the North West,” he said.
Earlier in his valedictory remarks, the outgoing GOC, Major General Ajose, congratulated his successor and commended his vast operational experience and leadership qualities. He expressed confidence that Major General Koughna’s deep understanding of the region’s security dynamics would further enhance ongoing efforts against terrorism and banditry.
Major General Koughna is a highly decorated senior officer of the Nigerian Army with an illustrious career spanning command, staff and instructional appointments. Born on 20 November 1972, he is a member of the 43rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1996.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (Honours) from the NDA, a Master of Science degree in National Security and War Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and a Certificat d’Études Françaises (1er Degré) from France.
His previous appointments included Assistant Deputy Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, Senior Instructor at the NDA, Commanding Officer 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. With his current posting, he become the 11th GOC of 8 Division.
Operationally, Major General Koughna has participated in several peacekeeping and security missions, including the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in Sierra Leone, Operation Harmony IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Within Nigeria, he played key roles in operations such as Operation Restore Peace in Bakura Forest and Operation HADIN KAI in Buni Gari. His gallantry and tactical leadership earned him the Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal for operations against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.
Beyond the battlefield, Major General Koughna is also an author, with publications including Rivulets of Wisdom (2005) and Battle Leadership (2024), which focus on leadership, strategy and professional development.
Married with three children, the new GOC combined his professional duties with personal interests in reading and squash.
As he assumed command of 8 Division and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Koughna bring a blend of experience, strategic insight and resolve, with expectations high that his leadership will further strengthen security and public confidence across the North West.
