Nigerians fleeing Lake Chad in Niger say some have died from lack of food, water

People displaced by the Boko Haram insurgence board a truck to travel back to their home states, after arriving in Nigeria, at Geidam, Nigeria May 6, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

GEIDAM, Nigeria/NIAMEY, Niger (Reuters) - Some of thousands of Nigerians told to leave neighbouring Niger in the past week due to threats from Boko Haram militants have died en route from lack of food and water, evacuees said.

Niger has evacuated Nigerians living around Lake Chad, military and aid officials told Reuters on Tuesday, as the armies of four west African nations battle to quash the Islamist militants.