Nigerians Flee to Neighboring Countries Amid Rising Insecurity
Between December 2025 and May 2026, over 8,500 Nigerians sought refuge in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad due to escalating insecurity in the northwest and northeast regions, as reported by Sunday Punch. This alarming trend has been documented in data from the UNHCR Nigeria Forcibly Displaced Persons Dashboard, which was analyzed by our correspondent over a six-month period.
The data, compiled in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Migration Service, and the International Organization for Migration’s Displaced Persons Tracking Matrix, highlights a notable increase in refugee populations across these neighboring countries during the study period. Currently, the registered number of Nigerian refugees in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad stands at 416,184.
The Republic of Niger has experienced the most significant surge, with the number of Nigerian refugees rising from 258,359 in December 2025 to 268,967 by May 2026—an increase of 10,608 people in just six months. During this same timeframe, the internally displaced population in Sokoto State more than doubled, escalating from 88,562 to 181,526.
Cameroon is currently home to 125,192 Nigerian refugees, primarily located in the Far North region and around the Minawao refugee camp. Meanwhile, Chad hosts 22,025 Nigerian refugees, most of whom are concentrated in the Lac provinces near Bagasora and Ngara. The UNHCR Nigeria Refugee and Repatriation Overview reveals that the bulk of displaced individuals in these countries originate from Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, areas that have been the focal points of Boko Haram and ISWAP activities since 2009.
In Niger, refugees predominantly reside in the Diffa region, where approximately 135 temporary camps are established along 200 kilometers of National Highway 1, which runs parallel to the Komadougou River and the Nigerian border. Significant border towns hosting these refugees include Kuruk, Gashua, Makina, and Markotan. The recent increase in outflows to Niger has coincided with worsening security conditions in Sokoto and Zamfara.
Record low safety has resulted in alarming casualty rates, with at least 2,266 individuals killed by rebels and bandits in the first half of 2025 alone—surpassing the total fatalities in all of 2024. Across Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, at least 10,217 people have lost their lives to insurgent attacks during President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The emergence of a new armed group, Laklawa, has further strained security across the northwest and north-central regions.
While international organizations like the UNHCR are working to facilitate repatriation, voluntary returns remain sluggish. From 2019 onward, at least 37,911 Nigerians have returned from all three countries. Notably, in 2025, 26,775 individuals returned, bolstered by the federal government’s repatriation initiatives. Yet, as of December 2025, only 3,122 of the more than 50,000 refugees in the Minawao camp have chosen to go back. A recent UNHCR study also indicates that a mere 32% of the surveyed refugees expressed a desire to return to Nigeria.
As of now, there is no formal repatriation framework in place in the Republic of Niger, where the majority of Nigerian refugees reside. Discussions regarding a draft agreement among Nigeria, Niger, and UNHCR are currently underway. The Nigerian government has begun adopting a National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons and corresponding State Action Plans for Katsina and Zamfara as of February 2026. Additionally, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expanded its humanitarian aid efforts to underserved regions in the northwest, focusing on Katsina and Zamfara states.
During his address to the nation on May 29, President Tinubu acknowledged ongoing security issues while emphasizing efforts being made. He stated, “Our military and security agencies are stepping up operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and criminal networks. Although challenges remain, many communities and highways are becoming safer and more economically vibrant.” However, inquiries directed to Bayo Onanuga, Special Assistant to the President on Intelligence and Strategy, went unanswered at the time of this report.
