SERAP: UN Intervention on Niger Miners' 37 NSCDC Custody Deaths

• SERAP urged four UN Special Rapporteurs to intervene over the deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
• The miners were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during operations targeting illegal mining before their detention in Minna.
• SERAP's appeal, dated September 18, 2026, also addressed the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna following the deaths.
• The organization called for a thorough, independent investigation into the deaths and accountability for any human rights violations.
• A survivor alleged a substance was sprayed in an overcrowded cell before detainees began collapsing.

The organization further articulated that any loss of life resulting from the excessive use of force, without strict adherence to international human rights standards concerning necessity and proportionality, constitutes an arbitrary and therefore illegal deprivation of life.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has formally urged four United Nations Special Rapporteurs to intervene following the reported deaths of 37 miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. This urgent appeal, dated Friday, September 18, 2026, and signed by SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, also highlighted the alleged use of lethal force against individuals protesting these deaths in Minna, the state capital.

The tragic events unfolded after 37 individuals were reportedly apprehended on September 15 and 16. These arrests were part of NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State. Following their detention in Minna, all 37 persons subsequently died. A survivor later recounted a disturbing detail, alleging that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside an overcrowded cell shortly before some detainees began collapsing. This survivor also noted that while 17 people were initially held in the cell, more detainees were brought in, leading to severe overcrowding.

In the wake of these custody deaths, protests erupted on the streets of Minna. Reports indicate that security forces responded to these demonstrations by deploying tear gas and opening fire. While some accounts suggested the use of live ammunition, other reporting noted that the precise type of ammunition utilized was not immediately confirmed. SERAP underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that "Thirty-seven people went into NSCDC custody. They came out dead. Nigerians deserve to know what happened." The organization further emphasized that "The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets."

SERAP's comprehensive appeal to the United Nations 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, laid out a clear demand for justice. The human rights organization insisted that the UN should compel Nigerian authorities to provide answers and ensure a thorough investigation into both the deaths in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna.

Central to SERAP's argument is the principle that any death or serious injury occurring in state custody necessitates a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation. Such an inquiry, the appeal stressed, must identify perpetrators and bring them to justice. The organization further articulated that any loss of life resulting from the excessive use of force, without strict adherence to international human rights standards concerning necessity and proportionality, constitutes an arbitrary and therefore illegal deprivation of life.

The appeal specifically urged the UN special rapporteurs to engage with the Nigerian Government. This engagement should seek detailed information regarding the circumstances and causes of the deaths, the treatment and conditions of detention, and the legal basis for the initial arrests and subsequent detention. Furthermore, SERAP requested data on the number and status of protesters who were killed or injured during the demonstrations. The organization underscored the critical importance of establishing responsibility, ensuring accountability, and providing effective remedies, including compensation and other forms of reparation, for victims and their families where violations are confirmed.

Beyond immediate accountability for the Niger miners deaths in NSCDC custody, SERAP's appeal also called for systemic reforms to prevent future occurrences of such human rights abuses. The organization advocated for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective, and transparent investigation not only into the custody deaths but also into the reported lethal force used against protesters.

To address the root causes and mitigate future risks, SERAP proposed several preventative measures. These include the implementation of appropriate training for security personnel, the establishment of clear operational rules, the enforcement of command accountability, and the creation of robust, independent oversight mechanisms for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other law enforcement agencies. These recommendations aim to address the systemic issues that contribute to incidents like the alleged extrajudicial killings by NSCDC Nigeria and the use of excessive force against civilians. The case highlights the heightened human rights risks associated with security operations in the mining sector, necessitating due diligence for clients operating in such areas.

Lawyers should monitor the UN's response and any subsequent investigations into the NSCDC's conduct, as this case could set precedents for accountability and reparations for deaths in state custody in Nigeria. It also highlights the heightened human rights risks associated with security operations in the mining sector, necessitating due diligence for clients operating in such areas.

Source: Reporting based on original news coverage.