General azubuike ihejirika biography examples
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thisdaylive.com. "B'Haram sponsorship: SSS exonerates Ihejirika, to quiz Modu-Sheriff". Ihejirika responded with bold reforms:
* Expansion of Army Presence – He set up new brigades in the North-East, where Boko Haram was most active.
* Counter-Terrorism Training** – He created schools for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, giving soldiers the skills needed for modern warfare.
* Reforms in Discipline and Morale** – He improved barracks, training, and warned soldiers against aiding insurgents, focusing on loyalty and effectiveness.
* Public Accountability** – In 2012, he openly revealed that Boko Haram had already killed more than 3,000 Nigerians, pushing the urgency for action.
Controversy and Clearance
In 2014, he faced accusations of funding Boko Haram, claims he strongly denied.
DailyPost Nigeria.
Vanguard News.
In just 18 months, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the first Igbo Chief of Army Staff since 1966, spearheaded a bold military campaign that drove Boko Haram out of Maiduguri and kept every Northern town safe under his command.
But instead of receiving national accolades and support, he faced fierce opposition — not from the terror!sts, but from Northern elites who felt threatened by his achievements and twisted his anti-terror efforts into an ethnic conflict narrative.
In a rational country, this man would be celebrated as a national hero.
Archived from the original on 2014-12-13.
thisdaylive.com. Under his direction, the Army established new brigades and counter‑terrorism schools to enhance capacity, and he oversaw the creation of the 7th Division, a unit tasked with operations against Boko Haram. nigeriavillagesquare.com. He serves on the advisory board of the Nigerian Defence College, mentors junior officers, and frequently contributes opinion pieces on defence reform.
His leadership also helped crush the notorious kidnap kingpin “Osisikankwu,” who had been terrorizing Abia State.
Controversies and vindication;
Ihejirika faced controversies, including a false accusation by Australian negotiator Stephen Davis in August 2014 that he had sponsored Boko Haram.
Retrieved 25 July 2015.
Early military career;
After commissioning as a second lieutenant, Ihejirika held a series of command and staff appointments, including command of the 1st Battalion, Nigerian Infantry; instructor at the NDA; and deputy commander of the 82nd Division.
Nasir El-Rufai and even the Sultan of Sokoto were vocal critics of Ihejirika’s crackdown — despite the clear victories he achieved.
When they couldn’t undermine his actions, they went so far as to accuse him of supporting Boko Haram, the very group he was working to defeat!
In a stunning response, the General dropped a bombshell: “El-Rufai is the real Boko Haram commander!”
Under Ihejirika leadership:
A special anti-terr0r brigade was formed, the 7th Division in Maiduguri was established.
Boko Haram’s strongholds were dismantled and Maiduguri was finally stabilized.
But weak political will from Goodluck Jonathan, who was desperate for northern loyalty he never received, led to Ihejirika’s dismissal — a betrayal that cost Nigeria dearly and still costing them till today.
Even the U.S.
2022 State Dept. Know why insecurity still persists today.
Meet Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika: The First Igbo Army Chief Who Reshaped Nigeria’s War on Terror
Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR (born February 13, 1956), is a retired Nigerian Army officer best known as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from September 2010 to January 2014.
He also publicly accused former FCT Minister Nasir El‑Rufai of hindering equipment procurement and of being a key Boko Haram supporter—a claim that remains disputed.
Post‑retirement contributions;
Since retiring in January 2014, Ihejirika has remained active in national security discourse. I therefore dedicate this title to my commanders and soldiers who showed strength in the midst of daunting challenges", he said.[10]
In August 2014, it was reported that Ihejirika was among the sponsors of the deadly Islamic sect Boko Haram alongside Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the former Executive Governor of Borno State, Nigeria.[11] The allegation was made by the Australian negotiator Stephen Davis who has been working with the Nigerian Security Agencies in the rescue of the abducted Chibok School Girls.[12]
The State Security Service absolved Ihejirika of claims that he was a major financier of Boko Haram and said that he was proved innocent of the allegation leveled against him by Davis.[13][14][15]
Awards
Ihejirika has won several awards and honours, among others are;
References
- ^"Former Chief of Army Staff, GENERAL AZUBUIKE IHEJIRIKA set to join Abia guber race".
He emphasized a proactive combat approach, stating that amnesty or dialogue with the sect was not the army’s primary concern, but rather protecting human lives.
His time in office was historic for two reasons: he was the first Igbo officer to become Army Chief since the Civil War (1967–1970), and he introduced major reforms that reshaped Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.
Early Life and Career
Ihejirika was born in Isuikwuato, Abia State.