A government-led crackdown on rebels insurgents has forced more than 6,000 Nigerians to flee the country, dpa quoted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as saying Tuesday. Thousands of people from north eastern Nigeria have sought refuge in neighbouring Niger out of fear of being caught in the crossfire, according to the refugee agency. A further 1,300 Nigerians have fled to Cameroon and Chad. Nigeria's government has conducted regular airstrikes against the Boko Haram sect since it declared a state of emergency in the three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14. The refugees were also fleeing from the increasing presence of roving armed bandits in northern Nigeria, UNHCR said in a statement.
