Missing Persons Crisis: Urgent Call For Action From Government, Security Agencies

The issue of missing persons in Nigeria is a long-standing challenge that requires urgent attention from both society and the government at all levels.

Amidst the numerous security challenges the country faces, this problem highlights the nation’s broader insecurity and the failure to implement effective tracking systems.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports that over 24,000 Nigerians are currently missing across various parts of the country.

This alarming situation calls for an urgent, coordinated effort to find innovative solutions and implement systemic reforms to address the growing trend. Nigeria is said to account for 50 percent of the total number of missing persons in Africa, highlighting the critical need for action.

The issue of missing persons has become a growing concern for the people of Ekiti State, as the police continue to report incidents of disappearances.

Between August 2024 and January 2025, the State Police Command declared at least five individuals missing across the state.

The most distressing aspect of this situation is that among those declared missing are a 16-year-old girl and an 84-year-old elderly person. One notable case in the state’s police records is the declaration of Hussaini Udagi as missing on August 6, 2024.

The 35-year-old man, from the Oke-Bola area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, was reported missing after he left home on July 31, 2024, at about 06:00hrs, riding his red Bajaj motorcycle. According to the police, he headed to an unknown destination and has not returned since. All efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

On October 29, 2024, the police in the state , through a statement released by its spokesman, Mr Sunday Abutu also informed members of the public of the disappearance of an 84 year old man, Adeyemi Yisa Agboola.

He said, “Agboola, of No.26, Similoluwa Area, Ado-Ekiti, left home to an unknown destination on 18/10/2024 at about 1300hrs and never returned since then, while all efforts made by his family members to know his whereabouts proved abortive”.

Two young girls, Aderukuola Nifemi Adebayo (16) and Hassan Omowumi (17) were also declared missing by the police, in Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West local government area of the state and Ado-Ekiti respectively on January 8, 2025.

The police said, “This is to inform members of the public that One Aderukuola Nifemi Adedayo ‘f’ of Idifi street, Aramoko Ekiti, left home on 14/12/2024 and has not returned since then.

“She is 16 years old, dark in complexion, has no tribal mark, speak Yoruba and English languages fluently.

“Similarly, one Hassan Omowumi ‘f’ of No16, Akinlabi Street, Adebayo, Ado Ekiti, left home on 26/12/2024 and has not returned since then.

“She is 17 years old, fair in complexion, has no tribal mark, 4ft tall, speak Yoruba language fluently”.
There was also the public announcement of the missing of one Alhaji Odema Moses by the police on January 16, 2024.

The 51 year old Odema of Olatunji Street, Off Federal Poly Road, Ado-Ekiti, left home on 19/12/2024 and has not returned since then.

The PPRO who noted that the Command has launched investigation to unravel the whereabouts of the missing persons, enjoined anyone with useful information concerning their present location should kindly contact the nearest Police Station or call 09064050086.

However, there is a general belief among the people, including security and law enforcement agents, that many cases of missing persons go unreported for various reasons, preventing appropriate action from being taken.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Adewale Ojo suggested that the rising cases of missing persons in Ekiti State and across Nigeria may be linked to abductions, organised human trafficking, the activities of ritualists, and dangerous behaviors, particularly among the youth.

Ojo stated, “Most of our people don’t take their own security seriously. They travel at ungodly hours, go to unfamiliar places, and engage with strangers. A typical example is the case of two Ekiti University students who tragically lost their lives while swimming in a river. They were initially declared missing before their bodies were recovered. Our people must learn to take their security seriously.”

Another resident of Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Adeola Adeyanju, pointed out that many young boys and girls go missing because they fail to inform their parents, siblings, or friends about their whereabouts before leaving.
She narrated how her daughter recently traveled to her boyfriend’s place without informing them.

“We thought something untoward had happened to her when we don’t know her whereabouts after almost two weeks. It was one of her friends who alerted the family about the place she was”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State , Mr Joseph Eribo, while responding to cases of missing persons in state, enjoined the people to always report such at the police stations for necessary action.
Eribo said, ” When you can’t find someone, you report at the Police station, that the person who ordinary, you should have seen within a particular time is yet to be seen. It will be well documented.
“But what the law say is that, before the person can be declared missing, it takes seven good days, but that not withstanding, the police will not rest on its oars”.
The CP noted that there are various ways through which a missing can be traced these days .

He said, “Through his or her phone number, through those that know the person, friends. Some may decide to change environment for whatever reason.If anybody gets missing , just ensure you report to the police and we will do our best to track the person technology-wise”.

To address the rising number of missing persons in the country, it is crucial to develop robust tracking systems and ensure effective coordination among security agencies. Additionally, establishing an official missing persons database is essential for the efficient tracking and management of such cases.

The issue of missing persons in our country requires urgent attention from everyone, with the government taking the lead by developing effective frameworks and systems, and ensuring the compulsory adoption of technology-driven approaches by security agencies to improve efficiency.

While it is essential for all stakeholders to collaborate with the government to address this crisis, the public must also remain vigilant and security-conscious by reporting such cases and supporting efforts to eradicate the problem.