The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said the immense impact of 24,000 Nigerians declared missing by their families is disrupting communities and impeding social and economic progress in the country.
Head of Sub-Delegation, ICRC Maiduguri Field Office, Diana Japaridza, disclosed this while commemorating the International Day of the Disappeared, on Saturday in Maiduguri.
She said by the end of 2024, more than 284,000 people from all over the world were registered missing with the Family Links Network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
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She said in Nigeria alone, the ICRC had registered around 24,000 active cases of missing persons since 2014 when the conflict peaked.
“This number, ICRC’s highest caseload in Africa, likely represents only a fraction of the total number of persons missing in the country.
“More than half were children at the time they disappeared.
“The ICRC acknowledges the immense impact of the missing persons on the society and on the families.
“It disrupts the fabric of communities, hinders reconciliation, and impedes social and economic progress.
“The weight of this issue often falls on the shoulders of the families, who tirelessly seek answers throughout their lifetimes,” she added.
Japaridza noted that many of these families were still living in uncertainty, causing agony and unspeakable suffering, expressing hope that the gathering would help authorities to identify with the victims’ families.
“We hope that today’s gathering helps authorities, communities and society-at-large acknowledges your plight,” she said.
“As we stand here united on this solemn occasion, let us draw strength from each other and from the collective determination we share,” she said.
Also speaking, the ICRC Protection of Family Links Team Leader, María Toscano, revealed that the humanitarian organisation is still working to trace the whereabouts of the missing individuals.
She said the ICRC had registered about 9,000 missing persons in Borno alone, out of the 16,000 cases recorded in the North-East.
Toscano explained that 71 percent of the missing cases occurred between 2014 and 2015, with Bama Local Government Area recording the highest number, approximately 5,000.
She also revealed that 65 percent of those missing in the region were children at the time they disappeared.
Toscano confirmed that 11 persons have been reunited with their families so far in 2025, in addition to the 13 who were reintegrated in 2024.
However, she identified limited access to conflict-affected areas and difficulty in contacting families as major obstacles in the search efforts.
Borno State commissioner of education, Engr Lawan Wakilbe, who was represented at that event sympathized with families of the missing persons.
“We pray to Allah to unite all of you with your loved ones, and in very good health,” he said.
Also, the State commissioner of women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, urged the families of the missing persons to welcome their loved ones back with open arms and without stigmatization, whenever they return.