ICRC: Nigeria has highest number of missing persons in Africa

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says Nigeria has the highest number of missing persons ever registered by the organisation in Africa.

Leonard Blazeby, the ICRC’s head of programme and prevention, said this at the International Day of the Disappeared (IDoD) on Tuesday in Yola, Adamawa state capital.

According to Blazeby, 25,000 out of 64,000 missing persons reported are from Nigeria.

“This includes more than two thousand (2000) cases that were registered after January 2021. The number of missing persons continues to rise every day, yet the ICRC knows that these figures represent a fraction of a wider undocumented humanitarian tragedy,” Blazeby said.

“I would like to highlight that these figures reveal a very alarming fact that children are particularly more vulnerable than adults to disappearance in Nigeria.”

ICRC’s findings show that the whereabouts of 14,000 children across Nigeria still remain unknown till today.

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, who was represented by Eddah Emos, the state head of service, commended the ICRC.

He also said the government will continue to support all partners in promoting peace and harmony in the state.

Saso Ali, permanent secretary, ministry of women affairs, described the disappearance of people as a painful experience, adding that “it is better to see a dead body and bury it than to have to wait probably all your life for a missing relative.”

In his remarks, Ayuba Audu, who spoke on behalf of the families of missing persons, solicited the support of the state government over their challenges.

He said a law supporting the families of missing persons was needed.

REASON FOR INCREASED DISAPPEARANCES

Also speaking at the event, Yann Bonzon, head of delegation for the ICRC in Nigeria, said insecurity is the biggest reason for the increased disappearances in Nigeria.

“There are over 35 active armed conflicts in Africa today. Thousands of people cross borders, the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea go off in search of safety and better life each year. Such movements often entail great risks, including the risk of disappearance,” he said.

According to him, documented cases of missing persons are on the rise, warning that the actual figures may be much higher if right policies are not put in place by the Nigerian government to ameliorate the trend.

On its part, the federal government described the situation as ”tragic”, vowing to collaborate with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security forces to ensure missing persons are found.

According to ICRC, in 2020, Nigeria accounted for the highest number of missing persons in Africa at nearly 23,000 people. Also in 2021, 24,000 people had been registered missing in the country.