UN: Violence forced 52,000 people to flee western Niger this year

Violence in western Niger has forced about 52,000 people to flee their homes this year, United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Thursday.

The wave of displaced people was caused by ongoing cross-border incursions and attacks by militant groups in Niger's Tillaberi and Tahoua regions, which border Mali and Burkina Faso, the agency said.

According to UNHCR, the displaced, most of which had fled to nearby towns and villages, reported that armed groups were killing and abducting civilians; burning schools; and looting homes, businesses and livestock.

The violence was also affecting 53,000 Malian refugees who live in the region, with some of them telling aid workers that they are considering fleeing northwards, to other countries.

The West African nation of roughly 22 million people, is one of the world's poorest countries and a key transit country on the migration route towards Europe.