In a recent revelation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced that Nigeria has a registered missing caseload of over 25,000 people within the past 10 years. The ICRC has been actively engaged in family unification efforts in Nigeria since 2013, collaborating with the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
Aliyu Dawobe, the Public Relations Officer for ICRC Nigeria, highlighted that the 25,000 missing persons are individuals whose relatives sought the assistance of the Red Cross to register their cases. However, Dawobe noted that this figure might be a fraction of the actual number, as some people manage to reunite with their families independently without ICRC intervention.
The ICRC has played a crucial role in tracing missing persons, restoring contact between detainees and their families, and facilitating reunions through Red Cross Messages. In the period from January to September 2023, over 400 people were traced, contact with their families was restored, and the families of 563 people in detention received news of their loved ones. Additionally, 580 civilians reestablished contact with their families through Red Cross Messages, and 17 unaccompanied children were successfully reunited with their families.
The ICRC is currently organizing the 3rd International Conference for the Families of Missing Persons, aiming to bring together families from various parts of the world to share their experiences and coping mechanisms. The virtual conference will provide a platform for families to connect, learn from each other, and develop peer-to-peer support to navigate the challenges they face in their unique contexts.