Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR (b. February 13, 1956), is a retired Nigerian Army officer who served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from September 2010 to January 2014.
His tenure marked a decisive moment in Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram, as he spearheaded reforms that reshaped the Army’s counter-terrorism strategy and infrastructure.
He also holds historical significance as the first Igbo officer to be appointed Chief of Army Staff since the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)—a development that carried deep symbolic weight in the country’s post-war reconciliation.
Early Life and Military Career
Born in Isuikwuato, Abia State, Ihejirika excelled in academics and graduated from Williams Memorial High School in 1975.
He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Army Engineers Corps as a second lieutenant in December 1977.
He expanded his expertise with a BSc in Quantity Surveying from Ahmadu Bello University, and attended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, as well as the National War College, Nigeria.
Over his military career, he held several critical positions, including:
Commander, 41 Division Engineers
Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division
GOC, 81 Division
Principal Staff Officer at Defence and Army Headquarters
Directing Staff, Command and Staff College
These posts prepared him for the challenges he would later face as Nigeria’s Army Chief.
Tenure as Chief of Army Staff
Appointed in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan, Ihejirika assumed command at the height of Boko Haram’s insurgency.
His leadership was defined by reforms and operational strategies that targeted Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
Expansion of Army Deployment
He established new army brigades in the North-East, increasing the military’s footprint in the region most affected by Boko Haram.
Building Counter-Terrorism Capacity
Ihejirika created specialized schools for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, professionalizing the Army’s response to asymmetric warfare.
Strengthening Doctrine and Discipline
He cautioned soldiers against collusion with insurgents and introduced reforms in training, barracks infrastructure, and special unit formation.
These measures aimed to improve morale, effectiveness, and loyalty within the ranks.
Public Accountability
In 2012, he publicly reported that Boko Haram had killed more than 3,000 Nigerians since 2009, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the need for new military doctrines.
Controversy and Exoneration
In 2014, Australian hostage negotiator Stephen Davis alleged that Ihejirika, alongside former Borno governor Ali Modu Sheriff, had funded Boko Haram. Ihejirika strongly denied the accusations and filed a N100 billion defamation suit.
The State Security Service (SSS) later cleared his name. Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar described the allegations as “wicked and uncharitable,” praising Ihejirika’s counter-insurgency efforts (Daily Trust, 2014).
Legacy and Recognition
After his retirement in January 2014, Ihejirika was honored in his community with the chieftaincy title “Dike Abia” (Warrior of Abia). His legacy rests on:
Strengthening Nigeria’s military structures during the insurgency.
Building specialized counter-terrorism institutions and training.
Serving as a historic symbol of national unity as the first Igbo Army Chief post-civil war.
Today, he remains an important voice in discussions on Nigerian military reform, counter-terrorism policy, and national service.
Sources
Daily Trust – SSS exoneration and related commentary
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