The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that 24,025 people are registered as missing in Nigeria, with the majority from the northeastern region.
This alarming figure highlights the ongoing toll of the Boko Haram conflict, which has persisted for over a decade, particularly affecting the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
During an event to commemorate the World Day of Disappeared Persons in Maiduguri, Lillian Dube, the Head of the ICRC’s sub-delegation office, revealed that these cases were documented in collaboration with the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS).
“We have registered 24,025 people as missing, a number that likely represents only a fraction of the actual total. More than half of these cases involved children at the time of their disappearance,” Dube stated.
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She further disclosed that 492 cases have been resolved, and 1,364 families have received news clarifying the fate of their missing loved ones.
“Currently, 618 separated children, who are still searching for their relatives, are being closely monitored by the ICRC and NRCS. Four children, either separated or unaccompanied minors, have been successfully reunited with their families,” Dube added.
The ICRC has also exchanged 1,286 messages, including from those in detention, to re-establish contact between separated family members. Additionally, they facilitated seven phone calls to help reconnect families.
To address the psychological and emotional impact on the families of the missing, over 600 families have received psychosocial, economic, legal and administrative support through the ICRC’s accompaniment programme.
“Messages on how to prevent separations have been widely disseminated through various channels, including radio, posters, leaflets and social media, to raise awareness about the importance of staying in touch with family members during uncertain times,” Dube emphasized.
In addition, 8,788 names of missing persons have been broadcast on the radio and announced in communities, encouraging anyone with information to contact family members searching for them.
Aisha Mohammed, who lost her eldest brother, the breadwinner of her family, expressed her gratitude for the ICRC’s Protection of Family Links Initiative.
“This initiative has helped us gradually overcome our trauma by bringing together families of the disappeared to share experiences and find ways to reconnect with our loved ones. Initially, we felt isolated, but knowing that others share similar experiences has been comforting,” she said.
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