Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna has officially taken over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
The Benue born senior military officer will also serve as Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
NewsQuest reports that the handover ceremony took place at the 8 Division Headquarters, Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto.
Koughna succeeds Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, whose tenure recorded notable advancements in regional security and counter-banditry operations across the North West.
Speaking during his inaugural address, Major General Koughna thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the trust and responsibility placed on him.
He pledged to build on-ongoing operational successes and strengthen efforts aimed at stabilising the region.
In his earlier remarks, General Ajose, congratulated his successor and lauded his operational pedigree, leadership qualities and deep understanding of the North West security environment.
He expressed confidence that Koughna would push the Division’s counter-insurgency mission to greater heights.
A highly decorated senior officer, Koughna brings decades of military experience to his new role. Born on 20 November 1972, he is a member of the 43rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.
He also holds a Master’s degree in National Security and War Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad, and a French language certificate from France.
Over the course of his career, Koughna has served in several strategic, command and instructional capacities, including Assistant Deputy Military Secretary, Senior Instructor at the NDA, Commanding Officer, 26 Battalion, Sokoto, Defence Adviser in Islamabad, Chief of Staff, 6 Division, Commander, 27 Task Force Brigade, Director, Civil-Military Affairs, and Deputy Chief of Operations at Army Headquarters.
His operational experience includes deployments to Sierra Leone under ECOMOG, the Bakassi Peninsula during Operation Harmony IV, and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Domestically, he has participated in key operations, including Operation Restore Peace in Bakura Forest and Operation HADIN KAI in Buni Gari.
Beyond the battlefield, Major General Koughna is an accomplished author with two published books — Rivulets of Wisdom(2005) and Battle Leadership (2024) — both focused on leadership, personal development and military strategy.
Married with children, he balances military service with a passion for reading and squash.
As the eleventh GOC of 8 Division, Major General Koughna is expected to inject fresh momentum into ongoing security operations in the North West, particularly under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
