For thousands of Nigerian families, the search for missing loved ones has stretched into years of uncertainty. Many are still waiting for answers about what happened to relatives who disappeared during conflict, violence and displacement.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says about 17,000 Nigerians are still missing in cases currently under active tracing across the country.
According to Daily Post, the figure covers cases being actively pursued by the Red Cross Movement as of July 2026. The ICRC said the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the organisation had previously worked on nearly 24,000 missing-person cases across Nigeria.
A recent review, however, focused on cases where the organisations could still maintain contact with families seeking assistance. The review does not mean the number of missing Nigerians has fallen to 17,000. Rather, the figure represents cases that remain active within the Red Cross tracing system.
For the families involved, the uncertainty can be as painful as the disappearance itself. Some have spent years searching for parents, children, siblings and other relatives without knowing whether they are alive or where they may be.
The problem has been particularly severe in the North-East, where years of insurgency have displaced communities and separated families. As a result, many families continue to search for relatives who disappeared during attacks, military operations, displacement or other humanitarian emergencies.
The ICRC said tracing missing people is often a difficult and lengthy process. Security restrictions can prevent teams from reaching certain locations, while displaced families may move several times in search of safety.
In other cases, families change their phone numbers or relocate without informing the Red Cross. Such changes can make it difficult for investigators to maintain contact and follow up on cases.
The tracing process involves several approaches. Red Cross teams may make phone calls, conduct field visits, visit communities and speak with local leaders. They may also work with humanitarian organisations that could have information about missing people.
The organisations have also used bulk text messages and door-to-door visits to reconnect with families. The ICRC said the number of active cases will continue to change as new cases are reported, contact is restored with families and some cases are resolved or closed.
It also stressed that the 17,000 Nigerians still missing figure should not be interpreted as a complete count of every missing person in the country. Some families may never have been able to access tracing services or formally report their cases.
For those families, the search can become a painful part of everyday life. A phone call, a message or a new piece of information can suddenly revive hope after years of silence.
The Red Cross Movement therefore urged families who have previously requested assistance to remain in contact and provide updated details whenever their circumstances change.
The ICRC said it remains committed to helping families restore contact with missing relatives and establish their fate and whereabouts.
For the 17,000 Nigerians still missing, the search continues. For their families, every new lead could bring them one step closer to an answer.
Elom Fortunate Chiemerie is junior staff at modern crux that covers news on international politics, sports news and entertainment News
