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 people 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.
SERAP made the demand in an urgent appeal on Friday, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organisation said 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.
According to SERAP, the suspects were subsequently detained in Minna, with their deaths reportedly recorded on September 17.
The reported deaths triggered protests in Minna on September 18, during which security forces were alleged to have used excessive force, resulting in reported deaths and serious injuries.
SERAP, however, noted that the circumstances surrounding both the deaths in custody and the subsequent use of force against protesters had yet to be independently established.
The rights organisation 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 communicate with the Nigerian Government over the incidents.
SERAP said, “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.”
It 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 to them and the possible responsibility of individual officers and commanders.
“Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened,” SERAP said.
The organisation also expressed concern over reports that security forces deployed tear gas and opened fire during the Minna protests.
It said some reports alleged the use of live ammunition, while other accounts indicated that the precise type of ammunition used had not immediately been established.
“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets,” SERAP stated.
SERAP further urged the UN mechanisms to demand that Nigerian authorities preserve all relevant physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence connected to the incidents.
It also called for families of those who died or were injured to have timely access to information about the investigations.
The organisation said security personnel are reasonably suspected of unlawful killings, excessive use of force or other violations should be held accountable through due process if investigations establish wrongdoing.
It also called for effective remedies, including compensation and other appropriate forms of reparation for victims and their families where violations are established.
SERAP 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 called for future policing of demonstrations to comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, including international standards governing the use of firearms.
The organisation also asked the UN Special Rapporteurs 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.
SERAP referenced a 2022 communication by UN Special Procedures mandate holders to the Nigerian Government concerning the #EndSARS protests, in which the mandate holders expressed concern over the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.
SERAP said the reported deaths in custody and subsequent violence during the Minna protests required urgent international scrutiny, stressing that the Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to establish the truth, protect peaceful protesters and ensure accountability for any unlawful conduct.
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