The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on 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 alleged 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.
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 being detained in Minna.
Their deaths were reported on September 17, triggering protests in Minna the following day. SERAP said security forces reportedly used excessive force against protesters, with reports of deaths and serious injuries, although the circumstances surrounding both the deaths in custody and the subsequent use of force remain to be independently established.
SERAP 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 over the incidents.
The organisation called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation capable of establishing the identities of the 37 deceased persons, the circumstances and causes of their deaths, their conditions of detention, the medical care provided and the responsibility of individual officers or commanders where applicable.
“Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” SERAP said.
It also called for the preservation of all relevant physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence and urged authorities to ensure that the families of those who died or were injured have timely access to information concerning the investigations.
On the Minna protests, SERAP said security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued. It noted that some reports alleged the use of live ammunition, while other accounts indicated that the precise type of ammunition used had not been independently established.
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets,” the organisation said.
SERAP further urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to seek detailed information from the Nigerian authorities on the legal basis for the arrests and detention, the treatment and conditions of detention, the causes of the 37 deaths and the number and status of protesters reportedly killed or injured.
It called for accountability where unlawful killings, excessive use of force or other violations are established, as well as effective remedies, including compensation and other appropriate forms of reparation for victims and their families.
The organisation also urged the government to protect protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, witnesses and relatives of victims from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and reprisals.
SERAP asked the UN mechanisms to seek information on measures being taken to prevent a recurrence, including training, operational rules, command accountability and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies.
The group also referenced a 2022 communication by UN Special Procedures mandate holders to the Nigerian Government concerning the #EndSARS protests, in which the experts expressed concern over reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters and stressed the international human rights principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force.
SERAP said the UN intervention should help establish the facts, determine responsibility, ensure accountability and provide effective remedies to victims and their families.
