The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Wednesday that Nigeria is grappling with a caseload of over 25,000 missing people registered with the Red Cross over the past decade, News About Nigeria gathered.
Aliyu Dawobe, the Public Relations Officer of ICRC Nigeria, highlighted that this figure pertains specifically to cases where relatives sought the assistance of the Red Cross in locating their missing family members.
Dawobe shed light on the ICRC’s family unification initiative, initiated in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society in 2013.
The 25,000 missing persons represent merely a fraction of those who are aware of ICRC’s role in reuniting separated or missing family members, as families voluntarily register their cases with the organisation.
However, Dawobe noted that the actual number of missing persons might be higher since some people manage to reunite with their families without the ICRC’s involvement.
He commented, “Though, this figure could drop because some people can get reunited with their families without the ICRC knowing or being informed.”
According to documents provided by ICRC Nigeria, the organisation has successfully traced over 400 people, restoring contact with their families.
Additionally, families of 563 people in detention received news of their loved ones, while 580 civilians managed to restore contact with their families through Red Cross Messages.
Furthermore, 17 unaccompanied children were successfully reunited with their families between January and September 2023.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the ICRC is currently organising the 3rd International Conference for the Families of Missing Persons.
This conference aims to bring together families of missing persons globally, providing a platform for them to share their experiences, discuss coping mechanisms, and learn from one another.
The virtual conference enables families from different regions and continents to connect, fostering peer-to-peer support and the exchange of valuable insights.
