Nigerian refugees cross a river border into neighbouring Niger.<br/> <br />According to the United Nations, Nigeria's ongoing military offensive against Islamist militants is forcing thousands to flee the country.<br/> <br />Many of the refugees are women with children who were caught in the crossfire between government forces and insurgents.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Haoussa) NIGERIAN REFUGEE, FATI MOUSSA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The army started shooting, but what was terrifying was Boko Haram. They were cutting people's throats. I saw it with my own eyes. The night Boko Haram came into the village, they shot at everyone, they beat everyone, men and women."<br/> <br />This man said the situation remains unstable with the military using heavy artillery and bombs to root out extremists.<br/> <br />The crackdown was launched mid-May and targets militant group Boko Haram as well as spin-off fundamentalist organizations.<br/> <br />The influx of displaced Nigerians is straining Niger's already meagre food and water resources.
