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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged four UN Special Rapporteurs to urgently intervene over the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna.
The 37 individuals were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026 during an NSCDC operation targeting suspected illegal/artisanal mining in the MI Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State and subsequently detained in Minna.
Their deaths were reported on 17 September, sparking protests in Minna on 18 September. Security forces reportedly used excessive force against protesters, resulting in deaths and serious injuries. The circumstances surrounding the deaths in custody and the use of force are still not independently known.
In an urgent appeal dated September 18, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “The UN must demand answers from the Nigerian authorities and ensure that the truth regarding the deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody and reports of the use of lethal force against protesters in Minna can be ascertained.”
SERAP said: “Every death or serious injury in police custody must be investigated promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively, and the perpetrators identified and prosecuted. Any loss of life resulting from the use of excessive force without strict compliance with international human rights standards, including necessity and proportionality is an arbitrary and therefore illegal deprivation of life.”
According to SERAP, “Reports of deaths in custody and use of lethal force against protesters require urgent international scrutiny. Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to uphold the truth, protect the right to peaceful protest, ensure accountability for unlawful actions and provide effective redress to victims and their families.”
SERAP also said: “The UN special rapporteur should immediately demand that Nigerian authorities reveal the truth about the deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna, and ensure accountability and justice for these unlawful actions.”
Urgent appeal, addressed to 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, and with reference number: 2s3wtdb5, which reads in part: “It is important to assign responsibility, ensure accountability and effective redress for victims and their families.”
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“Thirty-seven people were detained by NSCDC. They came out dead. Nigerians have the right to know what happened.”
“SERAP therefore calls for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation, capable of uncovering the identities of the 37 deceased, the circumstances and causes of their deaths, the conditions in which they were detained, the medical care provided, and the responsibilities of their respective officers and commanders.”
“Following the deaths, protesters took to the streets in Minna. Security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued. There were reports that security forces responded with live ammunition, while other reports said the type of ammunition used was not immediately known.”
“The answer to deaths in custody is not more deaths on the streets.”
“In a 2022 communication to the Nigerian Government regarding the #EndSARS protests, the UN Special Procedures mandate holder stated: ‘We are disturbed by reports of the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.’”
“They further reminded the Nigerian Government that: ‘any loss of life resulting from the use of excessive force without strict adherence to the principles of necessity and proportionality is an arbitrary and therefore illegal deprivation of life.’”
SERAP therefore urges the UN special rapporteur to:
Immediately communicate with the Nigerian Government regarding the reported deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody and the reported killing and shooting of protesters in Minna, and request detailed information on the circumstances and causes of death, treatment and conditions of detention, the legal basis for arrest and detention, and the number and status of protesters killed or injured.
Calls on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that there is an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation into deaths in custody and reports of the use of lethal force against protesters, conducted by a body independent of any security agencies involved in the alleged abuses, with findings made public.
Urge the authorities to immediately preserve all relevant evidence, including physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence, and ensure that the families of those who died or were injured have timely access to relevant information regarding the investigation.
Calls for accountability and effective remedies, including ensuring that security personnel suspected of unlawful killings, excessive use of force or other violations are held accountable in accordance with applicable processes, and that victims and their families receive effective remedies, including compensation and other appropriate forms of reparation in the event of violations.
Urges the Nigerian Government to protect protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, witnesses and victims’ families from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and reprisals, and ensure that monitoring of future demonstrations adheres to the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, including strict compliance with international standards governing the use of firearms.
Request information on measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents, including appropriate training, operational regulations, command accountability and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies, and consider appropriate further action within the mandate of the Special Procedures, including additional communications with the Nigerian Government and coordination with other relevant UN human rights mechanisms.
