GENEVA, May 12 (Reuters) - Violence in northwest Nigeria has
forced about 23,000 refugees to flee to Niger since April and
raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation, the
United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
The numbers fleeing to neighbouring Niger have almost
tripled from last year when the agency reported the first influx
of 20,000 people following an insurgency and banditry in
northern Nigeria which killed hundreds and displaced thousands.
The latest influx of mostly women and children came after
attacks by gunmen in Nigeria's Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara
states during April.
The deadliest attack claimed 47 lives in Katsina State, the
agency said, prompting air strikes by Nigerian security forces
already stretched tackling a decade-long insurgency by Islamist
group Boko Haram in the northeast.
"We are working closely with authorities in Niger to
relocate at least 7,000 refugees to safety ... where water,
food, shelter, access to health and other essential assistance
can be provided," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told a media
briefing.
"Discussions are also ongoing with the authorities to
recognize on a prima facie basis the refugees fleeing Nigeria
and arriving in the region," he said.
Nigeria closed all land borders in March to curb the spread
of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 4,600
people in the country with 150 deaths. It first shut parts of
its borders last year to fight smuggling but people could still
cross both ways.
The agency said refugees from Nigeria are being allowed to
seek protection in Niger despite border closures with people in
need of food, shelter and basic services including healthcare.
Baloch said around 19,000 Niger nationals have been
displaced in their own country as they fled, fearing insecurity
in border areas. The refugees are found in Niger's southern
Maradi region, the agency said.
Many have also been caught up in clashes blamed on farmers
and herders over dwindling land in Nigeria which have killed
more people than the Boko Haram conflict.