From UN.org

A Boko Haram attack earlier this week on the northern Nigerian town of Damassak left 50 people dead and forced at least 3,000 to flee to neighbouring Niger’s Diffa region, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) reported today.

“Our teams in Diffa say that people are still arriving in Niger from Nigeria as a result of the attack,” said Adrian Edwards, a UNHCR spokesman based in Geneva.

The town of Damassak, which lies just a few kilometres from the Niger border, was reportedly captured by Boko Haram on November 24.

UNHCR field staff has reported that while most refugees wait for boats to cross the Komadougou Yobé River separating the two countries, others have been trying to swim across to safety.

Locals in the area have said they have seen people drown while trying to cross the river. Other reports claim that people fleeing were shot by Boko Haram who chased as far as the river banks.

And those who have made it across the river to Niger are reporting there are still many displaced, mostly women, children, older people and some injured on the Nigerian side of the river waiting to cross over to Niger.

Read more at UN.org