The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged four United Nations Special Rapporteurs to demand answers 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 37 persons were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining 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 on September 18.
Security forces reportedly used excessive force against the protesters, resulting in reported deaths and serious injuries.
However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths in NSCDC custody and the subsequent use of force against protesters have yet to be independently established.
In an urgent appeal dated September 18, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to intervene and demand answers from the Nigerian authorities.
“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.
SERAP demands answers over NSCDC custody deaths
SERAP said deaths or serious injuries occurring in custody must be promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigated, with perpetrators identified and brought to justice.
“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.”
According to SERAP, the reported deaths in NSCDC custody and the subsequent use of lethal force against protesters require urgent international scrutiny.
“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,” SERAP said.
The organisation also urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to demand that the Nigerian authorities establish the truth about the 37 deaths in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna.
The urgent appeal, with reference number 2s3wtdb5, was 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.
“It is important to establish responsibility, ensure accountability and effective remedies to victims and their families,” the appeal read.
Minna protest: SERAP seeks investigation
SERAP said the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 persons must be fully established, including their identities, causes of death, conditions of detention and medical care provided while in NSCDC custody.
“Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” the organisation said.
SERAP called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation capable of determining the circumstances and causes of the deaths and the responsibility of individual officers and commanders.
Following the deaths, protesters took to the streets of Minna.
“Security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued,” SERAP said.
“There are reports that security forces responded with live ammunition, while other reporting said the precise type of ammunition used was not immediately established.”
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets,” the organisation said.
SERAP also cited a 2022 communication by UN Special Procedures mandate holders to the Nigerian Government concerning the #EndSARS protests.
The mandate holders had stated: “We are troubled by the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.”
They further reminded the Nigerian Government 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 lists demands to UN Rapporteurs
SERAP urged the UN Special Rapporteurs to urgently communicate with the Nigerian Government over the reported deaths in NSCDC custody and the reported killing and shooting of protesters in Minna.
The organisation wants the Nigerian authorities to provide detailed information on the circumstances and causes of the deaths, the treatment and conditions of detention, the legal basis for the arrests and detention, and the number and status of protesters reportedly killed or injured.
It also called for an independent investigation into the deaths in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters.
SERAP said the investigation should be conducted by a body independent of any security agency implicated in the alleged violations, with its findings made public.
The organisation further urged the authorities to preserve all relevant physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence and ensure that families of those who died or were injured have timely access to relevant information.
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.
SERAP also urged the Nigerian Government to protect protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, witnesses and relatives of victims from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and reprisals.
It further asked for information on measures to prevent a recurrence, including appropriate training, operational rules, command accountability and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies.
