Nigeria's Jonathan sacks security and defence chiefs

Abuja, 24 Jun – (ANA) - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked his national security adviser and defence minister, amid mounting violence in the north. Security aide Owoye Azazi will be replaced by Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel from the Muslim North as well as a cousin of the sultan of Sokoto, who is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims. It is not clear who will succeed Defence Minister Bello Mohammed. The move comes after a spate of attacks, including suicide attacks on churches, by Boko Haram Islamists. About 150 people have died this week. Last Sunday, three churches were targeted by suicide car bombs in the northern state of Kaduna and people were also killed in subsequent riots and revenge attacks. Kaduna lies on the dividing line between Nigeria's largely Christian south and mainly Muslim north. (ANA)

FA/ANA/24 June 2012----------------