Over 8,500 Nigerians Seek Refuge Amid Insecurity Crisis

As of May 2026, at least 8,521 Nigerians have sought refuge in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad due to escalating insecurity in the northwest and northeast regions, according to data from the UNHCR. The number of Nigerian refugees in these countries has risen from 258,359 in December 2025 to 268,967 by May 2026, marking an increase of 10,608 individuals within six months.

The primary states of origin for these refugees include Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, which have been severely affected by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies since 2009. The report indicates that Sokoto state has seen a doubling of internally displaced persons, with 181,526 recorded.

The humanitarian situation is dire, with 63% of the displaced population lacking sufficient access to food and 43% lacking adequate access to water. Despite the challenges, 37,911 Nigerians have returned home from these countries between 2019 and 2025, with ongoing efforts for voluntary repatriation, although the process remains slow.