Nairobi/Abuja  - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua said he was considering an amnesty for rebels in the Niger Delta, who severely damage the West African country's economy with attacks on pipelines and oil-production facilities.

His government was discussing measures on how to reintegrate the rebels into society if they disarm, Yar'Adua said after a meeting of leaders of the ruling People's Democratic Party, the BBC reported.

"We are working on terms for the granting of amnesty for those who are prepared to lay down their arms," the president said.

Abuja  - After scores of people were killed in riots following local elections, Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua Friday ordered the Nigerian military to take charge in Jos, the capital city of central Nigeria's Plateau State.

Olusegun Adeniyi, special advisor to the president, said Yar'Adua had met with the relevant security chiefs, where he gave the order. He had also been briefed by Plateau governor Jonah Jang.

Abuja - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua on Wednesday sacked 20 of his 39 cabinet ministers.

Yar'Adua spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi said that the ministers were dropped as part of efforts to rejuvenate Yar'Adua's administration.

He said that the decision, taken after Wednesday's cabinet meeting, was meant to reposition and strengthen the administration to better deliver services to Nigerians.

Abuja  - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has changed his chief of defence staff and installed new figures at the head of the army, navy and air force.

Air Marshal Paul Dike becomes new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General AB Dambazau took over as the head of the army and Rear Admiral Isaiah Ibrahim became chief of the navy.

Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin took over from Dike as the head of the air force.

All of the men being replaced were due for retirement, the president's office said.

Yar'Adua took office over a year ago and is under pressure to quell unrest in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, where militants have been attacking oil facilities and kidnapping workers.