The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that more than 24,000 Nigerians have been officially declared missing since 2015, with over half of them being minors at the time of their disappearance.
The figure, released in a statement to mark the 2025 International Day of the Disappeared, highlights the growing humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, displacement, and insecurity across the country, especially in the North-East.
According to the ICRC, Nigeria currently accounts for the highest number of missing persons in Africa. The majority of these disappearances are linked to the prolonged insurgency and violence in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s Regional Director for Africa, described the situation as alarming, noting that many families continue to live in anguish, with little to no information about the fate of their loved ones.
“Children represent more than half of the 24,000 missing persons in Nigeria. This is not just a statistic – it is a deep wound in the fabric of society,” Youssef said.
The ICRC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has been actively working to trace missing persons and reconnect families through radio broadcasts, Red Cross Messages, and family reunification services. As of August 2025, the humanitarian organization has resolved 492 cases and delivered updates to over 1,300 families.
Lillian Dube, Head of the ICRC Sub-Delegation in Maiduguri, said the actual number of missing persons is likely much higher than reported, due to underreporting and challenges in accessing some affected communities.
She also noted that the organization is monitoring the situation of 618 separated children and providing psychological and economic support to over 600 families under its Accompaniment Programme.
The ICRC called for more coordinated efforts from government and humanitarian partners to address the root causes of disappearances and ensure that families receive the answers and support they desperately need.
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