By | Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned four United Nations Special Rapporteurs to urgently intervene over the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna.
The organisation made the demand in an urgent appeal dated September 18, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
According to SERAP, the 37 persons were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State before they were detained in Minna.
Their deaths were reportedly announced on September 17, triggering protests in Minna on September 18.
SERAP said security forces reportedly used force against protesters during the demonstrations, resulting in reported deaths and serious injuries, while stressing that the circumstances surrounding both the deaths in custody and the subsequent use of force had yet to be independently established.
The rights group urged the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association; Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to urgently engage the Nigerian Government on the incidents.
SERAP said the UN should demand answers from the Nigerian authorities and ensure that the truth surrounding the reported deaths of the 37 detainees and the alleged use of lethal force against protesters is established.
“Every death or serious injury in police custody ought to be promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently, and effectively investigated, and perpetrators identified and brought to justice,” the organisation said.
It added that any loss of life resulting from excessive use of force without strict compliance with international human rights standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality, amounts to an arbitrary deprivation of life and is therefore unlawful.
SERAP said the reported deaths in custody and the subsequent use of force against protesters require urgent scrutiny, stressing that the Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to establish the truth, protect the right to peaceful protest, ensure accountability for unlawful conduct and provide effective remedies to victims and their families.
“Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” SERAP stated.
The organisation called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation capable of establishing the identities of all 37 deceased persons, the circumstances and causes of their deaths, their conditions of detention, the medical care provided and the responsibility of individual officers and commanders.
On the Minna protests, SERAP said there were reports that security forces deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued.
“There are reports that security forces responded with live ammunition, while other reporting said the precise type of ammunition used was not immediately established,” it said.
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets,” the organisation added.
SERAP also referenced a 2022 communication by UN Special Procedures mandate holders to the Nigerian Government concerning the #EndSARS protests, in which they expressed concern over the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.
The organisation urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to communicate with the Nigerian Government and request detailed information on the reported deaths in custody, including the circumstances and causes of death, treatment and detention conditions, the legal basis for the arrests and detention, as well as the number and status of protesters reportedly killed or injured.
It further called for:
An independent investigation conducted by a body separate from any security agency implicated in the alleged violations, with the findings made public.
Immediate preservation of physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence.
Timely access to relevant information for families of those who died or were injured.
Accountability for security personnel is reasonably suspected of unlawful killings or excessive use of force, subject to due process.
Effective remedies, including compensation and other appropriate forms of reparation where violations are established.
Protection for protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, witnesses and victims’ relatives against intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and reprisals.
Compliance with international standards governing the use of firearms during future demonstrations.
Measures to prevent recurrence, including appropriate training, operational rules, command accountability and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies.
SERAP also asked the UN mechanisms to consider further appropriate action within their mandates, including additional communication with the Nigerian Government and coordination with other relevant UN human rights mechanisms.
