A top Nigerian rebel commander agreed today to halt fighting in the oil-producing Niger Delta and take an unconditional pardon from President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Ateke Tom, whose men have carried out frequent attacks on oil installations, was one of three factional leaders with links to the main militant group MEND who had yet to accept the amnesty offer.
"I hereby formally accept the amnesty offer and lay down my arms," he told President Yar'Adua at a media briefing in Nigeria's capital Abuja.
