Date Published: 08/29/11

UN Abuja Bombing: U.S, Britain, France, Germany cancel activities in Nigeria
…Bomb used linked to Al-Qaida
…Presidency worried, considering overhaul of Security Chiefs
…As FBI takes over investigation

President Goodluck Jonathan	President Barack Obama	Prime Minister David Cameron

Following the recent bomb blast at the United Nations building in Abuja that killed dozens and injured scores, some western nations have cancelled several high profile assignments in Nigeria until further notice.

Pointblanknews.com sources in Abuja hinted that a report put together at the weekend by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), in collaboration with other security arms like the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the State Security Services (SSS), indicate that some top nations have cancelled strings of assignments in Nigeria.

Highly placed sources told Pointblanknews.com that countries such as the United States, Britain, France and Germany have all suspended all planned engagement in Nigeria until the frequent Boko Haram bombing is put to a halt. Canada is also considering similar action.

According to our source, the report which was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, listed nations like the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom, France and Germany, and agencies like United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) United Nation Development Program (UNDP) etc, are some entities that have put on hold sundry assignments to Nigeria by experts and top government functionaries.

This is coming on the heels of a recent meeting between the Chief Security Officer of the UN, Gregory Starr and officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), in Abuja at the weekend. The FBI agents appear to have taken over the investigations.

Said the source "The UN chief security met with some FBI agents. It was not clear what was discussed but shortly after the FBI took over the investigation, they bagged items, debris etc, it was clear they are in charge. Even though some of our intelligence officers are not happy, the President is not bothered because all he desires are results"

The embassies and agencies have also beefed up security in and around their offices and official residences in Nigeria. Pointblanknews.com also gathered that most of the western nations may change security arrangements at their embassies as they affect visitors and visa applicants.

According to our source "the embassies and some of these agencies are set to change their security arrangements, even United States Information Service will put in place tough measures."

It was learnt that President Jonathan is becoming impatient with the security chiefs, considering the fact that since the Force Headquarters blast, and the strings of attacks by Boko Haram, there have been no concrete breakthrough.

Said the source "the report sent to the presidency said most of these top nations have cancelled most assignments lined up for the year. They include the United States, Britain, France and Germany. Almost all official engagements by their officials and agencies have been cancelled. The president is genuinely worried considering the global magnitude of the attack. "

In a another development, security sources hinted that preliminary investigations by the Nigeria Intelligence agencies indicate that the bomb used for that suicide mission has all the hall marks of Al-Qaida, considering the impact and extent of damage , and may have been smuggled in for use by a local cell.