The General Who Almost Defeated Boko Haram — But Was Betrayed By Northern Power Hungry Elites
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. Yet in Nigeria, his success story was buried under character assass!nation, propaganda, and ethnic politics.
Let’s not forget that in 2013, Muhammadu Buhari yes the same Buhari notor!ously declared:
“An attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the North.” On national radio. Loud and clear.
This is the same Buhari who later governed Nigeria for 8 years, drained the treasury, and left Nigeria in a worse state than he found it.
Buhari wasn’t alone in his opposition. 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. Report acknowledged: “Ihejirika’s direct confrontation approach was more successful than all that followed.”
Nigerians, it’s time to wake up. Recognize who truly fought for you. Understand who did you wrong. Know why insecurity still persists today.
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