Nigeria's President sacks National Security Adviser, Defence Minister

Category: Nigeria Created on Saturday, 23 June 2012 17:17 Published Date Written by - Hits: 2377

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and Defence Minister Bello Haliru, according to presidential spokesman Reuben Abati.

Abati said on Friday the sacked National Security Adviser had been replaced with retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who was the Aide-de-camp to former President Ibrahim Babangida. No further details of the sacking were given.

President Jonathan returned from the Rio+20 summit in Brazil on Friday and immediately summoned a meeting of his top security chiefs.

Nigeria has been plagued by insecurity caused mainly by the activities of the Islamic sect Boko Haram, which has killed over 1,200 people in gun and bomb attacks since 2009.

The latest attacks in the northern cities of Zaria, Kaduna and Damaturu on Sunday and Monday claimed over 100 lives, including those killed in reprisal attacks by Christians.

President Jonathan was widely criticised for embarking on the Brazil trip in spite of the violence.