The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that 23,659 people have gone missing from across Nigeria, despite efforts to reunite families separated by armed conflicts and violence. The staggering figure was disclosed in Yola on Saturday, as the ICRC marked the International Day of the Disappeared.
According to Mr. Benson Lee, Protection of Family Link Officer of the ICRC, cases of missing persons are particularly rampant in Borno State, where insurgency has been most severe, accounting for 67% of the total number of missing persons in Nigeria. Lee noted that about 59% of the missing persons overall were minors at the time of disappearance.
The ICRC official emphasized that his organization has been instrumental in tracing and reuniting missing persons with their families. He urged all parties to conflicts to make every effort to prevent people from going missing. “Families of missing persons need to feel that they are not alone and their loved ones are not forgotten,” Lee said, appealing for empathy for families of missing people.
Globally, the phenomenon of missing people is a pressing concern, with millions of families affected by conflict, violence, and natural disasters. In Nigeria, the Boko Haram insurgency has been a major driver of disappearances, particularly in the northeastern region. The ICRC’s revelation highlights the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of disappearances and support families affected by the crisis.
The world grapples with the challenges of conflict, displacement, and human rights abuses, the ICRC’s work in tracing missing persons and reuniting families is crucial. The organization’s efforts serve as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of protecting civilians and preventing disappearances.
The ICRC’s call for empathy and support for families of missing persons harps on the need for a collective response to address this critical issue. As the organization continues its work in tracing missing persons and reuniting families, it is essential for governments, humanitarian organizations, and communities to come together to prevent disappearances and support those affected.
