What is an Army barracks? An army barracks is a building or group of buildings used to house soldiers. The design and layout of barracks can vary depending on the military branch, location, and time period. Modern barracks typically have individual rooms or apartments for soldiers, with shared common areas such as kitchens, dining halls, and recreational areas.
These barracks often have amenities such as internet access, cable television, and laundry facilities.In the past, barracks were often large open spaces with rows of bunk beds or cots, and shared bathing and toilet facilities. These types of barracks were common during World War II and the Vietnam War.
Barracks are typically located on military bases or installations, and are subject to strict security measures. They may also be used to house military personnel during training exercises or deployments. Overall, barracks provide soldiers with a place to live and rest while they are serving their country.
An army barracks is typically made up of several key components, including:
1. Living quarters: This is where the soldiers sleep and relax when they are off duty. The living quarters may include individual rooms or shared living spaces, depending on the design of the barracks.
2. Dining facilities: Soldiers need to eat, so barracks often include dining halls or mess facilities where they can get their meals. These facilities may be run by the military or by private contractors.
3. Recreation areas: Soldiers need to have some downtime to relax and unwind, so barracks may include recreational areas such as gyms, game rooms, or outdoor spaces for sports and other activities.
4. Bathrooms and showers: Soldiers need access to clean and sanitary bathroom facilities, so barracks typically include communal bathroom and shower facilities.
5. Storage areas: Soldiers need to store their gear and equipment when they are not in use, so barracks may include storage areas such as lockers or equipment rooms.
6. Security measures: Barracks are often located on military bases or installations, so they may be subject to strict security measures such as access control, surveillance cameras, and security personnel.
Overall, an army barracks is designed to provide soldiers with a safe, comfortable, and functional living environment while they are serving their country.
Across the 36 states of the federation, Nigeria has about 52 army barracks, with the southwestern geopolitical zone having the highest number of these military bases with 17 barracks, while the southeast has the least number of barracks with about 4 military barracks.
Division of Nigerian Army Barracks across the six Geopolitical Zones
The 36 states of the Nigerian Federation are grouped into six geo-political zones. The 52 Nigerian Army barracks housing ground soldiers are distributed across the six geo-political zones in the nation. These geopolitical zones are the;
- North-East
- North-West
- North-Central
- South-East
- South-West and
- South-South.
Nigeria is a country in West Africa and it is home to several military installations and army barracks. Here are some of the zones where army barracks are located in Nigeria:
1. Abuja: Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria and it is home to several military bases and army barracks, including the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the Nigerian Air Force Base in Abuja, and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
2. Lagos: Lagos is a major city in Nigeria and it is home to several military bases and army barracks, including the Nigerian Navy Base in Apapa, the Nigerian Army Cantonment in Ikeja, and the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja.
3. Kaduna: Kaduna is a city in northern Nigeria that is home to several military installations, including the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna.
4. Maiduguri: Maiduguri is a city in northeastern Nigeria that is located near the border with Chad. It is home to the Giwa Barracks, which is the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division.
5. Port Harcourt: Port Harcourt is a city in southern Nigeria that is home to several military installations, including the Nigerian Navy Base in Port Harcourt and the Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt.
These are just a few of the zones where army barracks are located in Nigeria. The Nigerian military also operates in other parts of the country as well.
List of Army Divisions in Nigeria
i) 1 Division with its headquarters located in Kaduna.
ii) 2 Division with its HQ located in Ibadan.
iii) 3 Armoured Division HQ located in Jos
iv) 6th Amphibious Division HQ located in Port Harcourt
v) 7th Infantry Division (OPLD) HQ located in Maiduguri
vi) 8th Division HQ located at Sokoto
vii) 81st Division (Amphibious) headquarters located in Lagos
viii) 82nd Division (Airborne and Amphibious) HQ located in Enugu
ix) Training and Doctrine Command HQ located in Minna.
List of Nigerian Army Barracks in the 36 states and their Location
1. Dalet barracks, located in Kawo in Kaduna State. It is the headquarters of the Nigerian Army 1 Division.
2. Bukavu barracks is located in Kano.
3. Kalapanzin barracks, located in Kaduna State, also referred to as 312 Artillery Regiment, Kaduna.
4. Ribadu Cantonment is located in Kaduna city. It is known as the old Nigerian Defense Academy.
5. Katsina barracks are located along Jibia road in Katsina, the State capital.
6. Kotoko barracks are located in Kaduna State.
7. Chindit barracks, located in Zaria, Kaduna State.
9. Giwa and Maimalari barracks. It is the 7 Division headquarter of the Nigerian Army and is located in Maiduguri, Borno State.
10. Obienu barracks, located in Bauchi State.
11. 33 Artillery Brigade barracks, located in Bauchi State.
12. Dodan barracks, which is currently the biggest barrack in the Federation. It is located in Lagos, Off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
13. Mokola Military barracks, located in Oyo State.
14. Osun Army barracks, located in Osun State.
15. Albitic barracks in Surulere, Lagos, is the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.
16. Arakan barracks is located in Apapa Lagos, Lagos State – It is the umbrella of the Nigerian Army Finance Corp, housing the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration.
17. Tego barracks on Bonny Street, Badia in Lagos State. It is the intelligence arm of the Nigerian Army School.
18. Beho Beho barracks, located in Lagos State.
19. Marda barracks, in Yaba. It is located right opposite Healthy Pulse pharmacy and supermarket, 346 Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos.
20. 174 Battalion, Nigerian Army barracks located in Odoguyan Ikorodu, Lagos State.
21. Ashanti barracks is located along Mobil road, Ajegunle, Lagos State.
22. Letmauk barracks in Ibadan. It houses the 4th Battalion in Mokola, Oyo State.
23. Odogbo barracks, located in Ibadan, Oyo State. It is also referred to as the odoko-Idogbo, Army barracks, Ibadan.
24. Ikeja barracks, also known as Ikeja Cantonment, is located in Ikeja, Lagos State.
25. Lafenwa barracks, also known as Nyangoa barracks, is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
26. AN barracks is located in Yaba, Lagos State.
27. Alamala barracks, located in Ogun State.
28. Ojo Barracks, also called Ojo Cantonment, is located in Tedi Village, Ojo in Lagos.
29. Abalti Barracks – located in Surulere, Lagos. It is the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.
30. Ejoor barracks, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, is located in Efurun, Warri, Delta State.
31. Calabar barracks, 13 Brigade Barracks, currently known as Akim Army barracks, is located in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
32. Ekenwan barracks, located in Ovia North Benin City, Edo State.
33. Adaka Boro barracks, located in Elele, Rivers State.
34. Bori camp is also located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
35. Warri Military barracks in Warri, Delta State.
36. Goodluck Jonathan barracks, the third-largest military base in Nigeria, is located in Ohafia, Abia State.
37. Onitsha barracks is located in Anambra State.
38. Abakpa barracks, located in the State capital, Enugu. It is a major barracks in the territory because it houses the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.
39. Awkunanu barracks is located in Enugu State.
40. 22 Armoured Brigades, known as Sobi barracks, located in Ilorin, Kwara State.
41. Rukuba barracks, located in Jos, Plateau State.
42. Keffi barracks, the 177 Battalion, located along Jos-Abuja road, in Keffi Nassarawa State. Keffi barracks is currently called Shittu Alao barracks.
43. Gado Nasko barracks, also known as Lungi barracks, is located in Abuja.
44. Yakubu Gowon barracks, home to the Guards Brigade Medical center, located in FCT, Abuja.
45. Sani Abacha barracks
46. Camp Wu Bassey, located in Abuja, on Muritala way, next to Sheraton hotel.
47. Aguiyi-Ironsi barracks or Aguiyi-Ironsi Cantonment located in Asokoro, Abuja.
48. Fort IBB barracks (former Fort Obasanjo) is located in the FCT, Abuja.
49. Mogadishu or Abacha barracks, located in Abuja.
50. Fort Nagwamatse barracks, located in Kantagora, Niger State.
51. Makurdi barracks, also referred to as Naites Nasme barracks, home of 72 Special Forces Battalion, is located in Makurdi, Benue State.
52. Artillery Brigade barracks, located in Minna, Niger State. It is also known as the 31 Artillery Brigade Minna Cantonment.
53. Colito barracks in Kwara State.
History of Army Barracks in Nigeria
Formed after the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) left, it was the British that trained troops of the army who fought during the East African Campaign (World War II). This was the first time these officers tasted war and was an advantage to use as a yard stick to train future soldiers. It was after the Nigerian civil war ended in 1970 that the population of the Nigerian army rose to 126,000 with the combination of officers from three divisions and 18,000 infantry battalions. The Nigerian army was tasked to ensure that a repeat of the bloodied war against internal and external threat was defeated at all cost.
Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, who recognized his command, 3rd Division during the period of civil unrest was key in making sure that logistics and administration were greatly improved. The defense budget was increased and it was due to this that the Nigerian army recorded victory over Biafran forces, even though the NA lacked good arms and had less bases to keep and train soldiers.
By the time the civil war ended, there were four divisions recognized to control territories in the various regions from the North to South. 1 Division has its headquarters in Kaduna to oversee the North West sector; 2 Division headquarters was at Ibadan took charge of South West; 3rd Division with HQ at Jos oversaw the North East sector while 82 Division with its HQ at Enugu took charge of the South East sector.
Today, with a more robust funding and organization by the Federal Government, the Headquarters of the Nigerian army has now seen various army barracks and formations that will oversee the day to day upkeep of the welfare, physical training, public relations, etc of its officers to go in line with the military ordinances.
Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) which is located in Minna is responsible for the training and combat development of officers in the Nigerian army. As an organized branch of the armed forces, the Nigerian army also has engineers, musicians, teachers, and other skilled workers.
There is also the presence of the military police (MP) and 17 Corps Training Schools. According to Wikipedia, the current population of the Nigerian army is estimated at 6,000 officers and over 150,000 soldiers.
Conclusion
The southwestern region has the second-highest number of military barracks in Nigeria, with 18 military bases across the 6 states that make up the region, Obviously, the North-East geopolitical zone in Nigeria has the least number of army barracks in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Army barracks present in the north east zone is about 3; however, due to the devastating effects of Boko Haram terrorists, killer herdsmen, and bandits, there is a more military presence in this region compared to other geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
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