Over 23,659 People Are Missing In Nigeria – ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has disclosed that over 23,659 individuals remain missing in Nigeria, leaving 13,595 families in distress, with the majority being women grappling with prolonged uncertainty and hardship.

Mr. Ishaku Luka, the Protection of Family Links Team Leader of the ICRC in Damaturu, shared these statistics on Sunday during events commemorating the International Day of the Disappeared. He noted that 68 per cent of families seeking answers are women, while 59 per cent of those missing were minors when they disappeared. Yobe State alone accounts for 2,500 cases, primarily from Gujba Local Government Area.

“Behind every missing person is a family living in pain, uncertainty and economic difficulty. The anguish is compounded by legal, administrative and psychosocial challenges. These families deserve acknowledgement, care and support,” Luka said.

He described disappearances as one of the most devastating outcomes of armed conflicts, disasters, and migration, calling on authorities, communities, and conflicting parties to take greater responsibility in preventing such tragedies.

By June 30, the ICRC had recorded 451 new cases in Nigeria this year, resolved 515 cases, and facilitated the reunification of seven separated children with their families. Luka emphasized that globally, the ICRC helps reunite 20 people with their families daily and clarifies the fate of two missing persons every hour.

Mr. Rashid Hassan, Head of the ICRC Sub-delegation in Damaturu, stressed that families of the missing should not be left to cope alone. “Time does not heal. Acknowledgement, answers and respect do. Families must know that their loved ones are not forgotten and their demands are heard,” he said.

Hassan explained that, in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the ICRC has provided psychosocial support, livelihood assistance, and orientation programs for affected families in Borno and Adamawa states. He urged authorities to meet their responsibilities by clarifying the fate of missing persons, protecting the dignity of the deceased, and addressing the economic and social needs of those left behind.

Globally, more than 94,000 people were newly registered as missing in 2024, bringing the total to 284,400. Hassan emphasized that these figures reflect only a fraction of the actual situation.

“As we commemorate this day, we renew our commitment to advocate for the rights of the disappeared and to push for continuous efforts in searching for answers. No family should live with the torment of uncertainty,” he said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli