Jonathan Appoints Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki As New NSA, Sacks Defense Minister

Posted: June 22, 2012 - 20:46

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to replace General Andrew Owoye Azazi as the new National Security Adviser (NSA). Mr. Jonathan also dropped Minister of Defense, Haliru Bello, from his cabinet with immediate effect.
Sources within the Presidency in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the moves come as part of the president’s move to revamp his administration’s response to the growing threat of violence from the extreme Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
Mr. Dasuki had previously overseen the Nigerian mint. A source said he was also one of those who opposed the late Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha.
Mr. Bello, the fired Defense Minister, has had a controversial profile. A source disclosed that he was involved in the Halliburton bribe scandal.
Our source said Mr. Jonathan would soon forward the name of Mr. Bello’s replacement to the National Assembly.