Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the Igbo Chief of Army Staff from 2010 to 2014, achieved remarkable success against Boko Haram during his tenure. In less than 18 months, he dismantled the terrorist group's strongholds, stabilized Maiduguri, and brought a sense of security to the region.
*Silent Achievements*
Ihejirika's leadership was marked by several notable accomplishments, including:
- Dismantling Boko Haram's strongholds and stabilizing Maiduguri
- Establishing the 7th Division in Maiduguri to tackle the Boko Haram crisis
- Forming a special anti-terror brigade to combat Boko Haram
- Declaring all Northern states safe and not under Boko Haram's control
*Opposition and Controversy*
Despite his successes, Ihejirika faced fierce opposition from Northern elites, including Muhammadu Buhari, who infamously declared that "an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the North." Ihejirika was also falsely accused of supporting Boko Haram by Nasir El-Rufai, who was subsequently told by Ihejirika that "El-Rufai is the real Boko Haram commander in Nigeria."
*Dismissal and Tainted Legacy*
Ihejirika's dismissal was attributed to weak political will from the then Goodluck Jonathan's administration, which was desperate for Northern loyalty and validation. Instead of receiving national accolades and support, Ihejirika faced fierce opposition from Northern elites who felt threatened by his achievements and twisted his anti-terror efforts into an ethnic conflict narrative.
*US State Department Report*
A 2022 US State Department report acknowledged that Ihejirika's direct confrontation approach was more successful than the approaches that followed. The report highlighted the effectiveness of Ihejirika's strategy, but his success story was buried under character assassination, propaganda, and ethnic politics.
*A National Hero Uncelebrated*
In a rational country, Ihejirika would be celebrated as a national hero for his bravery and strategic leadership. Instead, his achievements have been largely forgotten, and his legacy has been tainted by the very people he was fighting to protect. Ihejirika's story serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of fighting terrorism in Nigeria, and the need for strong leadership and national unity in the face of adversity.
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