Azubuike Ihejirika | |
|---|---|
 Ihejirika (right) andMaj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue II (U.S. Army Africa commander) in 2013. | |
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office September 2010 – January 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Lt-Gen.A.B. Dambazau |
| Succeeded by | Lt-Gen.K. Minimah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1956-02-13)13 February 1956 (age 69) |
| Awards | Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR |
| Nickname | Dike Abia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 17 December 1977–January 2014 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
| Unit | 81 Division |
| Commands | Lagos garrison Command |
| Battles/wars | Boko Haram Insurgency War |
Azubuike Ihejirika,// ⓘCFRGSS psc(+) fwc fniqs (born 13 February 1956) is a retiredNigerian ArmyLieutenant general and formerChief of Army Staff.[1][2][3]
Ihejirika was born on 13 February 1956, inIsuikwuato Local Government Area ofAbia State, Southeastern Nigeria.[4] He was educated at Williams Memorial High School inAfugiri, a town in Umuahia North,Abia State where he obtained a London General Certificate in 1975, as well as theWest African Senior School Certificate Examination with a grade I distinction.[2] He is a member of the 18th Regular Combatant Course of theNigerian Defence Academy,Kaduna and was commissionedSecond Lieutenant in December 1977 into the Corps of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE).[5] Ihejirika holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Survey from theAhmadu Bello University, Zaria and is an alumnus of military institutions such as theCommand and Staff College,Jajii and the National War College.[5]
Ihejirika was on the Directing Staff at theCommand 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 appointedChief of Army Staff (COAS) on 8 September 2010, by PresidentGoodluck Jonathan.[6] He served as COAS for over 3 years until his retirement in January 2014.[7]
After Ihejirika retired as theChief of Army Staff in January 2014, he returned to his hometownIsuikwuato 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]
In August 2014, it was reported that Ihejirika was among the sponsors of the deadly Islamic sectBoko Haram alongside SenatorAli Modu Sheriff, the former Executive Governor ofBorno State,Nigeria.[11] The allegation was made by the Australian negotiator Stephen Davis who has been working with theNigerian Security Agencies in the rescue of the abductedChibok School Girls.[12]
TheState 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]
Ihejirika has won several awards and honours, among others are;