No fewer than 24,025 people were declared missing in Nigeria, with the majority from the Northeast, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says.
The Boko Haram conflict, which has persisted for over a decade in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states is so alarming.
Lillian Dube, Head of the ICRC’s sub-delegation office disclosed this during an event to commemorate the World Day of Disappeared Persons in Maiduguri, explained that the cases were documented in collaboration with the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS).
The Head of the ICRC’s sub-delegation added that 8,788 names of missing persons have been broadcast on the radio and announced in communities, encouraging anyone with information to contact family members searching for them.
“We have registered 24,025 people as missing; a number that likely represents only a fraction of the actual total.
“More than half of these cases involved children at the time of their disappearance,” she said.
According to Dube, 492 cases have been resolved, while 1,364 families have received news clarifying the fate of their missing loved ones.
“Currently, 618 separated children that are still searching for their relatives are being closely monitored by the ICRC and NRCS while four children either separated or unaccompanied minors have been successfully reunited with their families.
“Over 600 families have received psychosocial, economic, legal and administrative support through the ICRC’s accompaniment programme, to address the psychological and emotional impact on the families of the missing,” she added.
“Messages on how to prevent separations have been widely disseminated through various channels, including radio, posters, leaflets and social media, to raise awareness about the importance of staying in touch with family members during uncertain times.
“The ICRC has also exchanged 1,286 messages, including from those in detention, to re-establish contact between separated family members, and it has facilitated seven phone calls to help reconnect families,” Dube said.
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