Atiku Faults Tinubu on Security as UN Says Nearly 64,000 Fled to Niger

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity after the United Nations refugee agency said nearly 64,000 people had fled northern Nigeria for neighbouring Niger since the start of 2026.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, said Nigerians should be able to find safety in their own communities without having to cross an international border.

He argued that the displacement figures reflected a failure by the government to protect lives, News About Nigeria reports.

The UNHCR briefing, issued on 10 November, said Niger was already hosting more than half a million refugees and asylum seekers, including about 327,500 from Nigeria.

The nearly 64,000 figure counts arrivals since the beginning of this year.

UNHCR is seeking $11.4 million to expand its response across Niger, Nigeria and Benin. That includes a $2 million appeal for immediate needs such as water, food, shelter, healthcare and registration.

Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, told a UNHCR meeting in October that more than 7,000 Nigerian refugees had voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries this year.

He said arrangements for the return of a further 2,000 people from Niger were being finalised at the time.