GENEVA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed "concern" on Tuesday over the recent spike in violence in the north-western parts of Nigeria, which has forced an estimated 20,000 people to seek safety and security in neighboring Niger since April.
UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said at a UN briefing here that the refugee agency is working closely with authorities in Niger to provide essential assistance and register the new arrivals.
He said more than 18,000 people have already gone through the initial registration process.
"The latest upsurge in violence is not linked to Boko Haram," said Baba, referring to the terrorist group linked to Islamist extremists.
"People are reportedly fleeing due to multiple reasons, including clashes between farmers and herders of different ethnic groups, vigilantism, as well as kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria's Sokoto and Zamfara states."
People leaving Nigeria and arriving in Niger's Maradi region speak of witnessing extreme violence against civilians, including machete attacks, kidnappings and sexual violence.
Most of the new arrivals are women and children.
The ongoing Boko Haram insurgency has already spilled over into Niger, where it has affected its Diffa region since 2015, said UNHCR.
The region currently hosts almost 250,000 displaced people, including refugees from Nigeria and locals displaced inside their own country.
Baloch said Niger continues to be a leading regional example in providing safety to refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in many countries.
It has kept its borders open for refugees despite the ongoing violence in several regions bordering Nigeria, Mali and recently Burkina Faso.
Niger is currently hosting over 380,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Mali and Nigeria alongside its own internally displaced population.
The country has also provided refuge to 2,782 asylum seekers airlifted from insecurity in Libya and awaiting durable solutions to their situation.
