Over 13,000 families in Nigeria are actively seeking 23,659 missing individuals, as revealed by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In a sobering announcement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that at least 23,659 people are missing across Nigeria. This alarming figure places the country among those with the highest number of unresolved disappearances globally.
The ICRC's focus on the missing persons issue in Nigeria is globally significant, with Borno State being the epicenter of the crisis. According to the organisation's reports, 67% of the missing person cases occurred in this region, which is also the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Northwest region, including Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, has also seen a high number of incidents. The disappearances in Nigeria are largely linked to armed conflict, violence, and abductions, particularly in the North-East region.
The ICRC's Family Link Officer, Mr. Benson Lee, made this announcement during the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared in Yola. He further disclosed that 59% of the missing persons were minors at the time of their disappearance.
This grim reality has left over 13,595 families searching for their missing loved ones, facing trauma, financial strain, and prolonged uncertainty, with little access to justice or information.
Mr. Lee also highlighted that the search results do not provide the name of the ICRC employee who worked in Nigeria on the search for missing persons and prepared a report on the International Day of the Disappeared in Yola.
The issue of missing persons in Nigeria is not just a local concern but a global one. The ICRC's caseload of missing persons in Nigeria is one of the highest documented globally, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The announcement was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday. It's worth noting that during the same period, 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 incidents, while 762 others were killed in abduction-related violence.
The ICRC's efforts in Nigeria are crucial in addressing this crisis. Between July 2024 and June 2025, at least N2.56 billion was paid in ransoms for the release of abducted individuals, representing a 144% increase from the previous year.
As the world marks the International Day of the Disappeared, it's crucial to remember the families left behind, hoping for answers and closure. The ICRC's work in Nigeria continues to be a beacon of hope in this challenging situation.
