MINNA, Nigeria — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked four United Nations special rapporteurs to press the Nigerian government for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The rights organisation submitted an urgent appeal on Friday, September 18, 2026, after reports that the detainees had died in NSCDC custody and that security forces had used lethal force against people protesting the deaths.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths in custody and the actions of security forces during the demonstration have not been independently established.
“The UN should demand answers from the Nigerian authorities and ensure that the truth about the deaths of the 37 persons in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna is established,” SERAP said.
Arrests During Mining Operations
The 37 people were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal and artisanal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.
They were subsequently detained in Minna. Their deaths were reported on September 17.
SERAP called for an investigation capable of identifying each person who died and determining the circumstances and cause of every death.
It also asked investigators to examine the conditions under which the detainees were held, the medical care they received, and the conduct of individual officers and commanders.
“Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” the organisation said.
SERAP said any inquiry should be conducted by a body independent of the NSCDC and any other security agency implicated in the alleged violations.
It asked that the investigation be prompt, impartial, thorough, effective, transparent, and followed by the public release of its findings.
Reports of Force Against Protesters
Protests began in Minna on September 18 after news of the deaths emerged. Security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as the demonstrations continued.
Some accounts said live ammunition was used, while others said the type of ammunition had not been established.
Deaths and serious injuries were reported, but the material provided did not specify the number or identities of the casualties.
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets,” SERAP said.
The organisation asked the UN experts to seek detailed information from the Nigerian government about the policing of the protests, including the number and condition of people killed or injured.
It also called for measures to protect protesters, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, witnesses, and relatives of victims from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest, or reprisals.
Appeal Sent to Four UN Experts
The appeal, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, was addressed to the UN special rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; freedom of peaceful assembly and association; freedom of opinion and expression; and the situation of human rights defenders.
The communication carried the reference number 2s3wtdb5.
SERAP asked the special rapporteurs to communicate urgently with the Nigerian government and request information about the legal basis for the arrests and detention, the treatment of those held, and the circumstances and causes of the reported deaths.
“The reported deaths in custody and the subsequent use of lethal force against protesters require urgent international scrutiny,” SERAP said.
“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.”
The organisation also asked the authorities to preserve physical, documentary, digital, medical, and forensic evidence. Families of those who died or were injured should receive timely access to information about the investigations, it said.
SERAP called for security personnel reasonably suspected of unlawful killings, excessive force, or other violations to be investigated and, where appropriate, held accountable through due process.
It also sought compensation and other forms of reparation for victims and their families if violations are established.
Standards on Deaths in Custody and Use of Force
SERAP said every death or serious injury in custody should be investigated promptly and independently.
“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.
“Any loss of life that results from the excessive use of force without strict compliance with the international human rights standards, including necessity and proportionality, is an arbitrary deprivation of life and therefore illegal.”
SERAP cited a 2022 communication to the Nigerian government from UN Special Procedures mandate holders concerning the #EndSARS protests.
“We are troubled by the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters,” the UN experts said in that communication.
They also stated that “any loss of life that results from the excessive use of force without strict compliance with the principles of necessity and proportionality is an arbitrary deprivation of life and therefore illegal.”
SERAP asked the special rapporteurs to seek information about steps intended to prevent a recurrence, including training, operational rules, command responsibility, and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law-enforcement agencies.
It urged the UN experts to consider further action within their mandates, including additional communications with the Nigerian government and coordination with other United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
