Thousands of women and children in northwest Nigeria fled clashes between farmers and shepherds Friday and took shelter in the Republic of Niger, according to Nigeria’s emergency agency.

Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) Sokoto Operation chief, Kofoworola Soleye, said conflicts in Sokoto and Zamfara states culminated in the fleeing of more than 15,000 women and children.

The victims reportedly took shelter in various regions of neighboring Niger.

“We visited the refugees and witnessed their conditions. The clashes in the region left thousands of widows and orphans behind,” said Soleye who noted refugees were desperate for humanitarian aid.

In response to conflicts since 2018 that has led to the deaths of thousands and mass migration, the Nigerian government increased security in the region.

The Fulani people, also known as Fula, who migrated to the Nigeria’s south to graze their animals, claim regional farmers are trying to steal their animals and are attacking them.

•Text (excluding headline): Anadolu Agency.

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