Nigeria: Nearly 64,000 Nigerians Flee to Niger Over Insecurity - UNHCR

What the report says

The United Nations refugee agency says nearly 64,000 Nigerians have crossed into Niger Republic since the start of 2026, fleeing worsening insecurity linked to Islamist militants and armed criminal groups. The report, carried by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, says the movement adds to an already strained humanitarian situation in Niger, which is already hosting large numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers.

According to the UNHCR, most of the newly arrived Nigerians have settled in Niger’s border areas of Diffa in the southeast and Tahoua in the west. The agency said several hundred others have gone to Benin because of deteriorating security in northern Nigeria. It also noted that more than 23,000 people, including many children, have arrived in Diffa since the beginning of the year.

UNHCR described difficult conditions for displaced families, including limited access to food, safe water, healthcare and other basic services. It said many people are living in temporary shelters, while poor sanitation and illnesses such as malnutrition and respiratory infections have been reported among new arrivals. The agency also warned that only a small share of refugees arriving this year have been formally registered, making it harder for them to receive aid and public services.

The agency said Niger’s own insecurity and climate-related pressures are complicating the response, while also acknowledging support from local authorities and host communities. It is seeking additional funding for humanitarian aid in Niger, Nigeria and Benin, including support for food, shelter, water, healthcare and refugee registration.