Britain limits aid to Nigeria

Britain tightened measures against Nigeria's military rulers yesterday, announcing there will be no new aid until a democratic civilian government takes over, writes Richard Dowden.

Douglas Hurd, the Foreign Secretary, said he regretted that both presidential candidates who stood in the election would be barred from standing in fresh elections under new rules announced by President Ibrahim Babangida. Britain announced measures against Nigeria last week, as soon as Gen Babangida annulled the election result. The measures have been strengthened to send messages to Nigeria rather than inflict real pain.