Displaced people in north-east Nigeria have told the BBC they were transported through a dangerous conflict zone ahead of the country's elections in an operation agreed by the main political parties. The BBC has been told that the unescorted convoys were organised with the agreement of both the ruling and main opposition parties, and the electoral commission. Several thousand displaced people are believed to have been moved back to their home areas temporarily in order to vote. Nigerians had been due to vote on 16 February but the polls were postponed until this Saturday. Over the years, violence across the state has driven thousands to seek shelter in Maiduguri.

Source: The Star February 22, 2019 14:26 UTC