The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported that at least 284,000 people were declared missing worldwide by their families. This statistic was revealed by Diana Japaridza, Head of Sub Delegation at the ICRC Maiduguri Field Office, during an event commemorating the International Day of the Disappeared in Maiduguri.
The event, organized by the ICRC, aimed to honor missing persons, including victims of enforced disappearance, and show solidarity with their family members. Japaridza expressed concern over the issue, stating that missing people is one of the most devastating consequences of armed conflict, violence, disasters, and migration. She noted that hundreds of thousands of individuals are missing globally, with many never returning or being heard from again, leaving families shattered and searching for answers.
According to the ICRC, over 284,000 people were registered as missing with the Family Links Network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement by the end of 2024. In Nigeria, the ICRC has registered around 24,000 active cases of missing persons since 2014, with more than half being children at the time of their disappearance. This number is likely only a fraction of the total number of missing persons in the country.
The ICRC acknowledges the significant impact of missing persons on society and families, disrupting community fabric, hindering reconciliation, and impeding social and economic progress. The weight of this issue often falls on families, who tirelessly seek answers throughout their lifetimes. Japaridza hopes that the event will help authorities, communities, and society acknowledge the plight of these families and provide them with the answers they deserve.
Lawal Wakilbe, the state Commissioner for Education, expressed deep concern for the families and reassured them of his ministry’s full support. He called on families to continue praying for God’s intervention towards the reappearance of missing persons and possible reunion with their families. The event served as a testament to the unwavering spirit and resilience of the families, with the ICRC pledging to continue standing together with them until every missing person’s story finds its ending.
The International Day of the Disappeared highlights the need for continued support and acknowledgment of the families of missing persons. As the ICRC and other organizations work to address this issue, it is essential to recognize the significance of providing answers and closure to those affected. The ICRC’s efforts to register and track missing persons, as well as their work with families and communities, are crucial steps towards addressing this global issue.