Date Published: 09/08/11

Jonathan fires Counter-Terrorism Adviser
…Appoints Major General Sarkin Bello

Major General Bello

Following intelligence failure, President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the Presidential Adviser on counter-terrorism, Mr. Zakari Ibrahim, two weeks after a car bomber killed 23 people at the UN's Nigeria headquarters.

Ambassador Ibrahim has immediately been replaced by Major General Sarkin Bello

Presidential Spokesman Reuben Abati confirmed the removal of the Presidential Adviser but remained silent on details and why he 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"Ambassador Ibrahim is no more the counter-terrorism adviser and coordinator on counter-terrorism matters, he has been replaced by Major General Sarkin Bello, who is now saddled with the responsibility to counter the rising wave of bombings in the country," he said.

Ambassador Ibrahim was former Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, NIA. He holds the traditional title of Talban Katsina.

Nigerian authorities are investigating how the bomber of the U.N. headquarters on August 26 was able to breach state security.

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.

If it was them and the group has claimed the bombing it marks the first time they have struck an international target.

Nigerian authorities 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 northern part of Nigeria.