In a disturbing illustration of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Sahel, hundreds of Nigerians fleeing banditry, insurgency and economic hardship have taken refuge in the largest public graveyard in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, PRNigeria reports.

The displaced families, mostly from Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states, said they were forced into the cemetery after being evicted from earlier settlements by security operatives and facing hostility from surrounding communities. With no formal shelter or protection, they now live among tombstones, exposed to hunger, harsh weather and deep psychological trauma.

Several of the refugees described their condition as one of total abandonment, saying they had become “unwanted people” with nowhere else to turn.

A recent report by Deutsche Welle (DW), monitored by PRNigeria, revealed that the migrants resorted to living in the graveyard as a last option after repeated expulsions from urban areas.

“We are truly in need of help because our families are in serious crisis,” said Shamsuddeen Maman, one of the displaced persons. “Whenever we try to enter towns, we are chased away. But since the graveyard belongs to no one, we are able to stay here. The only relief we get is when a stranger decides to pity us.”

Living conditions in the cemetery are described as dire. Many of the families sleep in the open, enduring cold nights and extreme weather without shelter or adequate food. Fatima Sani, who fled Katsina State due to persistent bandit attacks, said the suffering is particularly severe for children.

“The police threw us out of our earlier settlement,” she said. “We need urgent help, especially for our children who are sleeping outside in this weather.”

The displacement has also been marked by violence. Na’ima Abubakar recounted a recent attack on their former camp, where makeshift shelters were destroyed and food supplies provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were burned.

“The place was set on fire; we were beaten and chased away,” she said. “Some children were even burned during the attack. All the food we received from the Red Cross was reduced to ashes. We are appealing to the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger to come to our rescue. Returning home to a safe environment would be the best solution for us.”

Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, the crisis is also robbing children of their future. Yusuf Ibrahim, one of the displaced youths, spoke of his shattered dreams.

“I really wanted to go to school,” he said quietly. “Now we cannot even feed ourselves. I am just hungry.”

Among the refugees are survivors of the decade-long insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East. Fatima Hassan, a native of Chibok in Borno State, said her journey to Niamey was a desperate attempt to escape Boko Haram violence that had already claimed the lives of her husband and parents.

The situation has also triggered reflections on the historically close ties between Nigeria and Niger. Zaharadden Lawan Yusuf, another displaced person, expressed disappointment with what he described as a loss of dignity for Nigerians living abroad.

“We have become unwanted people,” he said. “Everyone knows that Niger and Nigeria are like brothers, but that brotherhood does not reflect our reality today.”

Responding to allegations by some locals that the refugees are involved in petty theft, Abubakar Ali dismissed the claims as unfair profiling.

“The accusation that we steal is not true,” he said. “Some bad elements take advantage of our desperate situation to commit crimes and then blame us.”

The displaced Nigerians are now making an urgent appeal to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Niger, and international humanitarian organisations to intervene by facilitating their safe return home or providing immediate life-saving assistance. (By PRNigeria, but headline rejigged)

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