The United Nations warned Tuesday that bloodshed in northwestern Nigeria was fuelling an exodus into neighbouring Niger, where violence was also rising.

The UN Refugee Agency said fear of armed groups and communal clashes in Nigeria had sent nearly 7,700 Nigerian refugees fleeing into Niger’s southern Maradi region since the start of the year.

The Nigerian Army has recovered the corpses of four soldiers allegedly killed by members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militias in Orlu, Imo State.

PRNigeria reported that a senior military official confirmed the development adding that the military vehicle that was damaged during the attack had also been recovered.

This came after the Nigerian troops on Monday arrested 20 members of the proscribed IPOB after they attacked soldiers and civilians in Orlu

Salihu Yakasai, a media aide to Kano State governor has criticised Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari over his management of issues related to the ethnic clash in Oyo State.