Startling revelations have emerged from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, who disclosed that a staggering 23,000 individuals had been reported missing for less than a decade.
This distressing phenomenon is primarily attributed to the insurgency gripping certain regions of the country.
Dr Edu brought these grim statistics to light during a significant engagement in Abuja, themed "Where are you now," which was organised to mark the International Day of the Disappeared. The minister underscored that this unsettling figure constitutes roughly half the number of missing persons across the African continent.
The disconcerting data was sourced from reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), as they documented the dire consequences of insurgency within certain areas of Nigeria.
Dr Edu echoed the grim reality, "Today, over 23,000 persons are still missing. However, this is likely just the tip of the iceberg as a more efficient mechanism is needed to improve the reporting and forensically trace cases of missing persons."
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the minister emphasised that the issue of missing individuals has evolved into one of the most poignant and enduring outcomes of armed conflicts. This sad reality calls for deep contemplation and urgent action.
Reiterating the government's commitment to addressing this deeply troubling issue, Dr Edu emphasised the importance of bolstering legal frameworks to tackle instances of disappearance effectively. The intention is clear: to curb this crisis and relieve families grappling with uncertainty.
Yann Bonzon, Head of Delegation at the ICRC, lent further credence to the gravity of the situation. He revealed that more than 23,000 people, as registered by the Family Links Network in Nigeria, remain missing, having never returned home. The real truth is that the number of missing individuals is potentially much higher. Nigeria contends with more missing persons than any other country on the African continent.
The sobering figures unveiled by Dr. Betta Edu shed light on a harrowing reality that demands concerted efforts, compassionate support, and concrete solutions. The revelation reinforces the urgency to confront the crisis of missing persons head-on, offering a glimmer of hope to the countless families desperately seeking closure and answers.
