By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE INTERNATIONAL Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it has registered more than 284,000 missing persons worldwide as a result of armed conflicts, disasters, and migration, stressing that the figure represents only documented cases and does not capture the true scale of the humanitarian challenge.
The agency said the number reflects records within its Family Links Network as of the end of 2024, describing the crisis as a significant global concern.
It also noted that armed conflicts, disasters, and migration remain the primary drivers of disappearances affecting communities across different regions.
In Nigeria, the ICRC expressed alarm over 23,659 missing persons linked to ongoing conflicts.
Benson Lee, Family Links Officer of the ICRC, disclosed the figure during the 2025 International Day of the Disappeared, commemorated in Yola at the weekend.
Lee described the numbers as deeply disturbing, pointing out that families of the missing continue to endure uncertainty.
According to Lee, at least 13,595 families in Nigeria are still searching for their loved ones.
She said 59 per cent of those missing were minors at the time of their disappearance, with 67 per cent of the cases recorded in Borno State.
“Behind each missing person is a family living in anguish and uncertainty, struggling with the pain of not knowing what happened to their loved ones,” Lee stated.
The ICRC said the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared is intended to highlight the devastating consequences of missing persons on families and communities.
The day, observed globally, seeks to draw attention to the plight of relatives who live without answers and to promote empathy and action in addressing the issue.
The organisation further explained that ongoing conflicts and disasters, coupled with the risks faced by migrants, continue to create conditions where thousands vanish without trace each year.
It emphasised that the figures in its database account for only those cases officially registered and supported, while the actual number of missing persons is expected to be much higher.
Meanwhile, the United Nations, alongside the ICRC and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, is working to strengthen legal frameworks, improve search mechanisms, and provide direct support to families.
These measures are aimed at ensuring more effective responses to disappearances, while also helping to uphold the rights and dignity of those affected.
The ICRC also reaffirmed its commitment to working with states and humanitarian partners to prioritise the needs of families living with the anguish of missing relatives.
It called for stronger efforts in tracing, prevention, and protection, particularly in regions facing ongoing conflict and instability.
