President Goodluck Jonathan Friday returned from Rio De Jenerio, Brazil and sacked the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi and the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed.

Azazi has been replaced with Sambo Dasuki while the replacement of Mohammed is yet to be announced as nomination has to come from his State and screened by the Senate for confirmation.

The development was confirmed to THISDAY by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who said his principal returned from Brazil and summoned a National Security meeting where the removal of the duo was arrived at and he was directed to make the announcement which he did on his twitter page.

"The NSA has been dropped Sambo Dasuki has been announced as his replacement. The Minister of Defence has also been dropped," Abati confirmed.

Asked if the reason behind the change was the worsening security situation in the country, Abati said: "The President this afternoon, he returned from Brazil this morning, he summoned a meeting of the National Security Council and after the meeting of the National Security Council, I was summoned to make this announcement. So you may be right in saying, this is the result of that National Security Council meeting."

On more changes following the removal of the duo, he replied that it was not part of his brief as those he announced their removal and replacement were the result of the meeting and directive.

A statement later sent by Abati read: "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Friday appointed retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki as the new National Security Adviser (NSA).

"Colonel Dasuki, a one-time Aide de Camp (ADC) to former military President General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), replaced former NSA, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi (rtd).

"President Jonathan also dropped Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed as the Minister of Defence".