The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a statement that more than 66,000 had fled across the borders by mid-October, three times the number in the same period last year

Tens of thousands have fled across the border from Nigeria to Niger and Benin to escape violence and insecurity this year, the United Nations has said.

Northern Nigeria faces rising religious intolerance and violence by jihadists and criminal bandit gangs, as well as farmer-herder clashes.

The UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a statement on Thursday that more than 66,000 had fled across the borders by mid-October, three times the number in the same period last year.