No fewer than 11,000 children are missing in Nigeria, according to The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) statistics.
The breakdown of the statistics across Africa revealed that there were 25,000 missing people in Nigeria, adding that the latest figures of disappeared persons across Africa, were 64,000 cases reported.
The statement was signed by Ms Akpa Esther, Communication Officer, Editor and Analyst of the society in Abuja.
He said that thousands of people, including children, cross borders, the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and better life each year adding that such movements often pose great risks, including the risk of disappearance.
“Sadly, the almost 14,000 children registered does not capture the full scope of this often-neglected and tragic humanitarian issue. There is no doubt that there are more children whose fate remains unknown,” Bonzon said.
According to him, the society has more than 5,200 documented cases of unaccompanied children in Africa.
He said that there was a question of humanity and human dignity and that families of the disappeared faced immense pain and obstacles that often transcend generations.
“They are stuck in limbo, unable to move forward or grieve. The search for their loved ones never ends,” Youssef said.
He said that in 2022 from January to June, the society together with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), assisted in the exchange of 1,250 Red Cross messages containing family news.
Youssef said that the society reunited 31 separated children and unaccompanied minors with their families, while 440 phone calls were provided to families to maintain family contact.
“In addition, families of 377 persons received information about the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones.
“While 146 families of missing persons received psychosocial, economic, legal and administrative support through the Accompaniment Programme for Families of the Missing,” he said.
