President Jonathan: sacks counter-terrorism Adviser

President Jonathan

President Jonathan: sacks counter-terrorism Adviser

President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked his special adviser on counter-terrorism, two weeks after a car bomber killed 23 people at the UN's Nigeria headquarters, said Reuben Abati.

Spokesman Reuben Abati would not give details on why former counter-terrorism Chief Zakari Ibrahim was removed.

"Ambassador Ibrahim is no more the counter-terrorism adviser and coordinator on counter-terrorism matters, he has been replaced by Major General Sarkin Bello, who is now saddled with the responsibility to counter the rising wave of bombings in the country," he said.

Al-Qaeda connection

Currently investigations on how the bomber of the U.N. headquarters on August 26 was able to breach state security are still undergoing investigation by relevant authorities.

Last week they arrested two suspected members of radical Islamist sect Boko Haram over the attack and said they suspected a third member with an al-Qaeda connection led the plot.

The bombing at the UN building in Abuja marks the first time the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram may have struck an international target in Nigeria.

Boko Haram

The Nigerian government said on Tuesday they had found a bomb-making factory near Abuja and had arrested six suspected members or people connected with Boko Haram, including a foreign fighter from Niger.

The group has been held responsible for frequent bombings and shootings in the north.

Iheanacho (with agency reports)