Posted by BBC News on
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has announced a major shake-up of his country's military.
The chiefs of the defence staff and air-force have been dismissed, along with the national security adviser.
The army chief has been promoted to chief of defence staff. No reasons have been given for the decisions.
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has had many years of military rule. Political tension is rising ahead of elections due next year.
Mr Obasanjo, a former military ruler who won multiparty elections in 1999, recently said he would not seek re-election, after attempts to change the constitution to let him seek a third term in office were defeated.
Political observers suggest the removal of national security advisor Gen Aliyu Mohammed Gusau may be the most significant change, since he had recently been mentioned as a possible successor to the Nigerian president.