Abia State Governor Alex Otti has appointed former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.) as the chairperson of the newly formed Abia State Security Council.

Governor Otti had previously established the State Security Advisory Council and the Abia State Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to enhance security in the state.

The governor subsequently approved the appointment of Mr Ihejirika, a retired lieutenant general of the Nigerian Army, as the chairperson of the Security Advisory Council.

This was contained in a statement by Mr Otti’s spokesperson, Kazie Uko.

Mr Ihejirika served as the country’s chief of army staff under Goodluck Jonathan between September 2010 and January 2014, when he retired from service.

The 68-year-old retired army chief hails from Isuikwuato Local Government Area in Abia State.

This is his first job after retirement, about 10 years ago.

In 2021, the former chief of army staff joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Other members of the council

Apart from Mr Ihejirika, Mr Otti also appointed Uche Okoronkwo as the vice-chairperson of the council and Macdonald Ubah, a retired Navy commander, as the secretary.

Other members of the council include Abel Obi and J.O. Nwaogbo, who are both retired major-generals

Ray Nkemdirim and Emmanuel Chukwu, a retired air vice-marshal, are also members of the seven-member security council.

The statement said the appointments took immediate effect.