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Azubuike Ihejirika

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Lieutenant general
Azubuike Ihejirika
CFR GSS psc(+) fwc fniqs
Chief of Army Staff
In office
September 2010 – January 2014
Preceded byLt-Gen. A.B. Dambazau
Succeeded byLt-Gen. K. Minimah
Personal details
Born (1956-02-13) 13 February 1956 (age 68)
Isuikwuato, Eastern Region, British Nigeria (now in Abia State, Nigeria)
AwardsCommander of the Federal Republic, CFR
NicknameDike Abia
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service17 December 1977–January 2014
Rank Lieutenant general
Unit81 Division
CommandsLagos garrison Command
Battles/warsBoko Haram Insurgency War

Azubuike Ihejirika,// ⓘ CFR GSS psc(+) fwc fniqs (born 13 February 1956) is a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant general and former Chief of Army Staff.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

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Ihejirika was born on February 13, 1956, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria.[4] He was educated at Williams Memorial High School in Afugiri, a town in Umuahia North, Abia State where he obtained a London General Certificate in 1975, as well as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination with a grade I distinction.[2] He is a member of the 18th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in December 1977 into the Corps of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE).[5] Ihejirika holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Survey from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and is an alumnus of military institutions such as the Command and Staff College, Jajii and the National War College.[5]

Military career

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Ihejirika was on the Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College, Jajii and was Principal Staff Officer at the Defence and Army Headquarters. He also held various command appointments including:[5]

Ihejirika was appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 8 September 2010, by President Goodluck Jonathan.[6] He served as COAS for 4 years until his retirement in January 2014.[7]

Life after military

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After Ihejirika retired as the Chief of Army Staff in January 2014, he returned to his hometown Isuikwuato where he was honored with a chieftaincy title, "Dike Abia" (in Igbo), the "Warrior of Abia" (in British English).[8][9]

"I thought they will give me a chieftaincy title but they made me a king. I therefore dedicate this title to my commanders and soldiers who showed strength in the midst of daunting challenges", he said.[10]

Boko Haram sponsorship accusation

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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]

Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, chief of Army Staff, Nigeria and Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue II, U.S. Army Africa commander, take a moment to read the names at the Fallen Warrior memorial in front of the USARAF Headquarters.

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

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Ihejirika has won several awards and honours, among others are;

References

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  1. ^ "Former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika set to join Abia guber race". encomium.ng. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  2. ^ a b "Meritocracy: Elevation Of Azubuike Ihejirika To Chief Of Army Staff". nigeriavillagesquare.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Army Promotions: I'm not favouring my kinsmen – COAS". Daily Post. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  4. ^ "Lt.Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika – The Abia State Government – Official Website". abiastate.gov.ng. 2012-01-18. Archived from the original on 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  5. ^ a b c "Lt Gen OA Ihejirika CFR Gss Psc(+)fwc fniqs {COAS 2010 -2013}". Nigerian Army. Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  6. ^ "Ihejirika: One Year After, How Far". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  7. ^ Mutum, Ronald; Ahmad, Romoke W. (2014-09-06). "B'Haram sponsorship: SSS exonerates Ihejirika, to quiz Modu-Sheriff". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  8. ^ "Insecurity: Ihejirika Advocates Synergy among Govts, Security Agencies". This Day. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13.
  9. ^ "When a General returned home". elotitv.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13.
  10. ^ Ezeobi, Chiemelie (2014-03-31). "A Hero's Welcome for Ihejirika". This Day. Retrieved 2024-08-31 – via allAfrica.
  11. ^ "Nigerian Anti-Corruption Coalition Wants Modu Sheriff And General Ihejirika To Face International Criminal Court For Sponsoring Boko Haram". Sahara Reporters. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  12. ^ "Australian Negotiator Insists Modu Sheriff, Ihejirika Sponsor Boko Haram, Exonerates Buhari, El-Rufai". Sahara Reporters. 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  13. ^ "Former Army Chief, Ihejirika is not a Boko Haram sponsor - SSS - DailyPost Nigeria". DailyPost Nigeria. 2014-09-05.
  14. ^ "[General] - Australian Negotiator Names Ihejirika, Sheriff as Sponsors of Boko Haram". Village Square Forums. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  15. ^ "Boko Haram Sponsor: Ihejirika, El-Rufai trade accusations". Vanguard.
  16. ^ "Why we offered GCON to Dangote - Jonathan". Vanguard. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
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