Food aid banned for Borno state's displaced

The governor of Borno state in north-eastern Nigeria has banned food distributions to tens of thousands of people displaced by Islamist extremists.

A letter from Babagana Umara Zulum informed aid agencies that they would not be allowed to distribute food or other items to people who - under a government scheme - had moved from camps back to their towns and villages.

The governor said the policy was aimed at weaning people off aid and helping them to become self-sufficient.

Food insecurity in the region is already high and aid agencies warn that levels of malnutrition will increase.