Nigeria records over 25,000 missing persons in 10 years – ICRC

• Dawobe said ICRC Nigeria started family unification in 2013 in Nigeria alongside the Nigerian Red Cross society
  

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The International Committee of the Red Cross in Nigeria revealed that over the past decade, more than 25,000 individuals have been reported missing and registered with the organization.

Aliyu Dawobe, the Public Relations Officer for ICRC Nigeria, highlighted that these cases were registered upon requests from relatives seeking assistance from the Red Cross.

Dawobe said, “ICRC Nigeria started family unification in 2013 in Nigeria alongside the Nigerian Red Cross society.

The 25,000 missing persons is only a fraction of people who are aware that ICRC is helping to reunite separated/missing family members. They register their cases and there are over 25,000 cases of such.”

However, the PRO added that though the number of missing persons in Nigeria in the last 10 years might have dropped as a result of some families re-uniting without the help of the Red Cross.

He stated, “Though, this figure could drop because some people can get reunited with their families without the ICRC knowing or being informed.”

Also, according to a document by ICRC Nigeria, over 400 people were traced and contact with their families was restored, while the families of 563 people in detention received news of their loved ones.

In addition, 580 civilians were able to restore contact with their families through Red Cross Messages, while 17 unaccompanied children were reunited with their families from January to September 2023.”