Nigeria: Red Cross Movement continues tracing 17,000 missing persons cases as families await answers

This update reflects our commitment to transparency and to reporting figures that accurately represent our current operational reality. It ensures that the information we share publicly corresponds to the number of families with whom we are actively working today, while continuing to acknowledge that many more families in Nigeria still live with the anguish of not knowing the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones.

The NRCS and the ICRC remain fully committed to supporting families of missing persons, restoring family links whenever possible, and pursuing every humanitarian opportunity to clarify the fate and whereabouts of those who remain missing. Every missing person represents a family waiting for answers, and every effort to provide those answers remains at the heart of our humanitarian mission.

It is important to stress that this updated figure does not mean that fewer people are missing. Rather, it reflects the number of cases for which we are currently able to maintain active engagement with requesting families and therefore continue operational tracing activities. The humanitarian need remains significant, and our commitment to families affected by the uncertainty of a missing loved one is unchanged.

We encourage families who have previously reached out to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) or any other Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement component requesting support in searching for a missing loved one to remain in contact with us. This allows us to mutually share any new information, update case details when circumstances change, and ensure we have the most current contact information should new tracing opportunities arise.