'Half' Nigeria food aid for Boko Haram victims not delivered

Up to half the food aid meant for people who have 
fled Nigeria's Islamist insurgency has reportedly not been delivered, the government says.

It described it as a "diversion of relief materials", which
correspondents say is a euphemism for theft.

A statement from the acting president's office added 
that security was being beefed up to protect the deliveries.

As a result of Boko Haram violence some 8.5 million 
Nigerians in the north-east need life-saving aid , officials say.

Last week, Nigeria apologised to Saudi Arabia after 200 tonnes of dates the kingdom sent as a Ramadan gift were found on sale in local markets.

Poor rains have exacerbated a problem caused by 
fighting with Boko Haram Islamist militants, which has 
forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

People in north-east Nigeria are also facing a possible 
famine, the UN said in March .

The statement from acting President Yemi Osinbajo said 
aid going missing had "dogged food delivery" and then cited reports saying that more than 50 lorries out of every 100 sent to the north-east never reach their destination.

It does not say what has happened to the diverted food, 
but in May two Nigerian officials were jailed for selling food aid .

Mr Osinbajo said that the latest consignment of aid 
which is making its way to the north-east is being protected 
by more than a thousand soldiers.