BIDA, NIGER STATE – In a significant boost to troop welfare and family support, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), Major General ASM Wase, commissioned several key infrastructure projects at Litani Barracks, Bida, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
The newly inaugurated facilities include a semi-detached two-bedroom Officers’ Transit Accommodation, the Command Children School, and a Vocational Training Centre.
Enhancing Welfare and Safety
Representing the GOC at the ceremony, Brigadier General MU Jibo, Commander 31 Artillery Brigade, stated that these projects align with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) vision of a resilient, family-oriented force. He emphasized that modernizing barracks facilities and prioritizing education are essential for bolstering troop morale and ensuring optimal service delivery.
During the commissioning of the transit accommodation, Brig. Gen. Jibo stressed the importance of a “maintenance culture.” He directed the Cantonment Maintenance Group to conduct strict inventories to ensure users remain accountable for the facilities.
A Response to Safety Concerns
The Commander of 18 Brigade explained that the motivation for building the Command Children School was rooted in the safety of personnel’s families. He recalled a tragic road accident in February 2025 involving a soldier’s child, caused by the heavy truck traffic on the roads leading out of the barracks.
”I was moved by an incident involving a personnel’s child… hence my decision to construct a befitting Nursery and Primary school in the barracks to discourage children going to school outside,” the Commander stated.
Skill Acquisition and Self-Reliance
Beyond housing and basic education, the new Vocational Training Centre is designed to empower the spouses of personnel. The center aims to provide entrepreneurial skills that foster self-reliance and economic stability within the barracks community.
The event concluded with the symbolic cutting of the ribbons, the presentation of commemorative plaques, and a group photograph with senior officers and stakeholders.