Nigerian officials jailed for selling food aid

Two Nigerian officials in the north-east of the country have been sentenced to two years in prison for selling food aid meant for people fleeing Islamist militant attacks and food shortages in the region, the Reuters news agency reports.

It adds that Umar Ibrahim and Ali Zangebe sold 300 bags of rice for 8,500 naira ($27, £21) each that had been donated by an international aid agency.

Millions of people have been displaced in the region by attacks carried out by Boko Haram as well as the fighting between the militants and the army.

The region is also being affected by severe food shortages.

Reuters says the officials are the first people to be convicted over graft in relation to food aid in Nigeria.

Source: BBC