UNHCR Reports 64,000 Nigerians Fleeing to Niger in 2026

Since January 2026, nearly 64,000 Nigerians have fled to Niger Republic to escape attacks by Islamist militants and armed criminal gangs, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This latest exodus has increased the total number of Nigerian refugees in Niger to approximately 327,500.

The displacement crisis is primarily driven by over a decade of insurgency and banditry in Nigeria's North-East and North-West regions. Although UNHCR has not provided a detailed state-by-state breakdown of the latest arrivals, previous reports have identified Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa as significant sources of refugee movements.

The Boko Haram insurgency and armed banditry have consistently forced residents from these areas into Niger, with significant refugee flows recorded in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The ongoing violence continues to threaten communities, leading to further displacement into Niger's Maradi and Diffa regions.