Nigerian president aborts state visit over security situation

South African President Jacob Zuma (R) greets his Nigerian counterpart Goodluck Jonathan outside the Parliament in Cape Town, May 7, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

ABUJA - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has cut short his visit to South Africa and aborted his state visit to Namibia which was to begin on Thursday.

A statement from his media office reaching Xinhua in Abuja said the president would be returning to Abuja immediately to contain the security challenges in Borno, Plateau and Nassarawa states.

Many people, including security personnel, lost their lives as a result of attacks by Boko Haram on military and security installations, prisons, as well as police and army barracks in Borno on Monday.

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nassarawa State and Gabriel Suswan of Benue on Wednesday briefed Vice President Namadi Sambo on the deteriorating security situations in their states.

Al-Makura told the vice president how 23 mobile policemen were killed in an ambush by the Ombatse cult group, while Suswam reported how herdsmen attacked Agatu villagers and killed many people.

President Jonathan on arrival, met with the chief of defense staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of national security services, to review the security situation in the country.