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Jonathan fires Azazi, appoints Dasuki as NSA

President Goodluck Jonathan on his return from Brazil on Friday fired his National Security Adviser, Retired General Patrick Owoeye Azazi and appointed Retired Colonel  Sambo … Continue reading Jonathan fires Azazi, appoints Dasuki as NSA


President Goodluck Jonathan on his return from Brazil on Friday fired his National Security Adviser, Retired General Patrick Owoeye Azazi and appointed Retired Colonel  Sambo Dasuki, to replace him.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello Haliru, was also affected in the shake-up that is coming after unabated violence and attacks by Islamic sect, Boko Haram in states across northern Nigeria.

The new NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (RTD) is a one-time ADC to former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babanginda.

Col Dasuki is a Prince of the Sokoto Caliphate. He was retired from the Nigerian Army during the era of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

The announcement was made shortly after the President summoned an emergency security council meeting with all the security chiefs upon his arrival from Brazil.

Prior to the president’s departure for the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil, Kaduna and Yobe States witnessed series of suicide bombings and violence between security operatives and members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The radical sect which seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in states across northern Nigeria, has been raging violent insurgency in the region, claiming hundreds of lives and destroying government properties, schools, military formations and Churches.

The Special Adviser to the president on Media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati announced the dismissals and appointment on social media network, Twitter, posting that the “NSA Azazi dropped, Col. Sambo Dasuki (RTD) new NSA. Minister of Defence also dropped. Further details later.”

The two sacked security chiefs  were in the security council meeting, earlier in the day with the president.

Dr Reuben Abati in an interview with Channels Television, stated that the president summoned the national security council meeting to evaluate the security situation of the country after his arrival.

He added that “the decision (dismissal of the NSA and Minister of Defence) that was announced is a follow-up to the meeting this afternoon.”

When asked whether the dismissal was as a result of the inability of the security chiefs to handle the state of security in northern Nigeria, Dr Abati, dodged the question, saying that “I will not tell you that the decision Mr President has taken was a judgement on the performance of the two gentlemen that are involved.”

“What I can tell you is that the decision that has been taken, is part of an attempt, in the series of attempts by the president to ensure that Nigeria people are further re-assured and that also, every step is being taken and where there are lapses, efforts can be made that those lapses should be corrected and possible efforts will be made to reassure Nigerians, that the administration is on top of the situation and President Jonathan is determined to ensure the safety, the security of lives and properties.”

The president is expected to send the name of yet to be announced Minister of Defence to the National Assembly for appropriate screening.

It is however unclear whether the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada is affected by the shake-up of the security chiefs.