The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged United Nations Special Procedures to urgently investigate the reported deaths of 37 young people while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The organisation also called for an independent investigation into the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna, the Niger State capital, following the reported deaths in custody.
According to SERAP, at least two protesters were reportedly killed during demonstrations, while several others were allegedly shot and sustained serious injuries.
The rights organisation said the protests followed the reported deaths of the 37 detainees, including young people allegedly arrested by the NSCDC in connection with suspected illegal mining activities.
SERAP said the reports of security personnel using live ammunition against protesters raised serious questions about whether excessive or disproportionate force was used during the demonstrations.
It therefore called for a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into both the reported deaths in custody and the alleged shooting of protesters.
SERAP Seeks Answers Over 37 Deaths
SERAP said investigators must establish the circumstances surrounding each of the 37 reported deaths, including the causes and manner of death, conditions under which the detainees were held, their treatment in custody and the conduct of security officers involved.
The organisation also called for the identities of the deceased to be established and for relevant evidence to be preserved to ensure that the investigation is not compromised.
SERAP further urged authorities to determine whether any of the detainees were subjected to torture, ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse before their deaths.
It said officers and commanders who may have been involved in the alleged violations should be identified and investigated where evidence establishes their responsibility.
The organisation referenced a recommendation made by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions following her 2019 visit to Nigeria, calling for deaths or serious injuries occurring in police custody and allegations of extrajudicial executions to be investigated impartially by an independent body.
Group Raises Concerns Over Minna Protest Shootings
On the reported Minna protests, SERAP maintained that peaceful assembly is protected under international and regional human rights standards.
The organisation argued that even where a demonstration becomes disorderly or some participants engage in unlawful conduct, such circumstances do not automatically justify the use of lethal force against protesters.
It called for investigators to establish exactly how and why firearms and live ammunition were allegedly used during the protests.
SERAP also wants authorities to identify protesters who were killed or injured and determine whether the force used by security personnel was necessary and proportionate to the circumstances.
The organisation further urged investigators to establish whether any orders were issued authorising the use of live ammunition and whether less-lethal alternatives were available and considered.
SERAP Calls for Preservation of Evidence
To facilitate an independent investigation, SERAP called for the immediate preservation of relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, body-camera recordings, mobile-phone videos, photographs, medical records and detention records.
It also called for the preservation of firearms and ammunition records, radio communications and operational orders that could help investigators establish what happened before, during and after the protests.
The organisation urged the government to protect protesters, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, witnesses and relatives of victims from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest or reprisals.
Appeal to UN Special Procedures
SERAP asked the UN Special Procedures to communicate with the Nigerian government and seek detailed information concerning the reported deaths, injuries and conduct of security personnel.
SERAP asked the UN Special Procedures to communicate with the Nigerian government and seek detailed information concerning the reported deaths, injuries and conduct of security personnel.
It also urged the UN mechanisms to push for accountability and effective remedies if investigations establish that human rights violations occurred.
The organisation said the reported deaths in custody and the subsequent events in Minna require urgent scrutiny, stressing the need to establish the truth surrounding the incidents and ensure accountability for any unlawful conduct.
The allegations contained in SERAP’s statement remain matters requiring investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and protest casualties would need to be established through an independent and transparent process.
