The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on four United Nations Special Rapporteurs to investigate the deaths of 37 people while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, as well as the reported use of lethal force on protesters in Minna.
37 miners lost their lives under suspicious circumstances while in NSCDC custody after being arrested for suspected illegal or artisanal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Speaking to News Ventral TV, a teenager rebuffed the claims that they are illegal miners, saying, “We are not into illegal mining…Niger State Civil Defence Corps don’t have the right to shoot at us…”
According to him, “We are under 28, and we are not allowed to be taken inside a cell…heat cannot kill a gold miner.”
In an appeal signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation noted that: “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.”
“Establish the truth about the deaths of the 37 persons in NSCDC custody” – SERAP
The statement dated 18 September 2026 noted that: “The UN special rapporteurs should urgently demand that the Nigerian authorities establish the truth about the deaths of the 37 persons in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna, and ensure accountability and justice for any unlawful conduct.”
The organisation urged an urgent independent international investigation into the deaths of the young miners under unexplained circumstances.
“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. 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 said.
According to the organisation, “The reported deaths in 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.”
In part, the statement also noted that: “It is important to establish responsibility, ensure accountability and 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 is therefore calling for an investigation that is independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective and transparent, capable of establishing the identities of all 37 deceased persons, the circumstances and causes of their deaths, the conditions in which they were detained, the medical care provided, and the responsibility of individual officers and commanders.”
The appeal, addressed to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, explained that “Following the deaths, protesters took to the streets of Minna. Security forces reportedly 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.
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets.
“In a 2022 communication to the Nigerian Government concerning the #EndSARS protests, UN Special Procedures mandate holders stated: ‘We are troubled by the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.’”
The appeal, which has the reference number 2s3wtdb5, condemned the loss of life and use of force, urging the government to ensure the sanctity of life.
“Excessive use of force… [is] illegal”
“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 warned.
It noted that 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 statement further stated that 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 underlined that the reported deaths in 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,” the rights’ group emphasized.
Meanwhile, the government has suspended over 20 NSCDC officials over the deaths while opening a two-week investigation into the unfortunate incident.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of is ,Benjamin Akutson.
