UN refugee agency warns of dangers facing Nigerian civilians in areas recaptured from Boko Haram

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday warned that most civilians living in areas of northern Nigeria recaptured from the extremist group Boko Haram face serious protection problems and lack the most basic assistance, with women particularly at risk, a UN spokesman told reporters here.

"UNHCR and partners report major food shortages as well as issues related to shelter for most of the displaced populations," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.

"UNHCR reports that many families are headed by women because their husbands have been killed by Boko Haram, forced to join the insurgents or disappeared," he said. "The Agency notes that many women and children remain traumatized by their time under Boko Haram rule and need counselling and livelihoods support."

Nigeria's northeast region has been a stronghold of Boko Haram. Over the past months, the Nigerian government has launched several military operations to eliminate the terrorist threat. Endit