Thousands of Nigerians have sought refuge in neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad as insecurity continues to force people from their homes in parts of the North-East and North-West.

Data from humanitarian agencies shows that 8,521 Nigerians crossed into the three countries between December 2025 and May 2026, pushing the total number of registered Nigerian refugees there to more than 416,000.

Niger recorded the largest increase, with many refugees arriving from violence-hit states such as Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina. The country now hosts the majority of Nigerians who have fled across the border.

Cameroon and Chad also continue to shelter large numbers of refugees, most of whom come from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where insurgent activities have persisted for years.

Humanitarian reports indicate that many displaced Nigerians in refugee settlements face shortages of food, clean water and other basic necessities, particularly in border regions already affected by insecurity.

The rise in refugee movements comes amid growing concerns over attacks by bandits, terrorists and other armed groups in northern Nigeria. Security experts have also linked the displacement trend to the activities of emerging armed groups operating across borders in the region.

Although some refugees have returned to Nigeria in recent years, humanitarian agencies say voluntary repatriation remains slow, with many displaced persons still uncertain about conditions in their communities.

The Federal Government has introduced programmes aimed at supporting displaced populations and improving security in affected states. However, authorities acknowledge that insecurity remains a major challenge despite ongoing military operations.