“We are calling on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to urgently invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter and draw the attention of the UN Security Council to Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, including mass abductions, killings, attacks on civilians, mass displacement and other grave human rights violations,” Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said.
Repeated abductions, killings, attacks on civilians and mass displacement in Oyo, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara and several other parts of the country reflect Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and serious human rights violations, SERAP said.
In the open letter dated May 30, 2026, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The scale, persistence and regional implications of the insecurity and serious human rights crisis in Nigeria represent a threat to international peace and security and risk exacerbating existing threats in the region.”
“Article 99 of the UN Charter is precisely meant for situations where emerging or ongoing crises demand urgent preventive diplomacy, sustained international scrutiny and concerted international action,” SERAP said.
“Several years of violence and conflicts in several states have caused appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Nigeria, SERAP said. “We are appealing under the preventive mandate of the UN Charter and the need to deal with a situation that is rapidly deteriorating in the country.
“Article 99 of the UN Charter states: ‘The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.’
“Integrating the escalating insecurity and serious human rights abuses in Nigeria into the formal agenda of the Security Council would enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations system in carrying out its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.”
“It would also keep sustained international focus on attacks on civilians, including abductions, killings and displacement.
“The crisis in Nigeria is not solely a domestic law enforcement issue. “Its impact increasingly affects regional peace and security by movement of armed groups and weapons across borders, massive displacement, growing instability beyond Nigeria’s borders and weakening human rights protection and rule of law institutions.”
There is no effective protection for people and communities. There are repeated reports of a pattern of large-scale violence in several states.
“Nigeria is experiencing a grave and worsening security crisis, including repeated mass abductions of schoolchildren, teachers, women, commuters and rural dwellers; attacks on villages and farming communities; armed groups and criminal networks killing people; and mass displacement.”
Communities in Oyo, Benue, Borno and elsewhere in Nigeria continue to face repeated attacks with devastating consequences for civilian life, dignity and security. The recent kidnappings of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, have exposed the severity of the crisis facing the civilian population.”
“On or about 15 May 2026, some armed men are said to have attacked some schools in Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State including Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School.
The coordinated attacks left at least 25 pupils and seven teachers abducted. “An assistant headmaster was said to have been killed and another teacher later died in captivity.”
Disturbing videos of one of the abducted teachers, vice principal of Community Grammar School, begging President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigerians to secure the release of the victims, later circulated. “Abductees are being held in harsh conditions and exposed to extreme weather. There are calls for urgent dialogue to save their lives.”
“This incident underscores the devastating human toll of repeated abductions of schools, children and education workers, and the urgent need to strengthen civilian protection, accountability and prevention.”
“Available information also indicates that gunmen have recently abducted secondary school students and other travellers in Benue State as they travel to write university entrance examinations.
“The North-East, North-West and North-Central regions are also witnessing increasing attacks by non-state armed groups. At least 23 people have been reportedly killed by bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, while over 100 others were injured.
“These attacks have been accompanied by a series of attacks on military formations, attacks on internally displaced persons’ camps, abductions of women and children and the killing of civilians in rural communities.”
Gunmen have killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in recent violence in Katsina State. At least 20 people were killed in coordinated raids in separate incidents and residents were taken hostage. “Another attack in Adamawa State reportedly killed at least 29.
“Taken together these events are indicative of a growing security crisis marked by mass killings, abductions and ongoing attacks on rural communities.”
The situation is rapidly deteriorating into a humanitarian and security crisis with potentially far-reaching implications for Nigerians in general and for peace, security and stability across the West African subregion. The utmost urgency is needed to avoid this outcome.”
Recent statements by United Nations officials have highlighted the growing international alarm at the deteriorating insecurity and serious human rights abuses in Nigeria. “You condemned the killing of people in Benue State in June 2025 and called for those responsible to be found and apprehended.”
“You also condemned the terrorist attack in Kwara State in February 2026, reiterated the solidarity of the United Nations with Nigeria and stressed the need to bring perpetrators to justice.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was shocked by the surge in mass abductions in Nigeria in November 2025, urging authorities at all levels to take all lawful measures to stop such attacks, ensure accountability and secure the safe return of victims.
“The United Nations has also cautioned that insecurity in Nigeria is creating wider humanitarian and regional implications. “Violence in several regions has displaced millions, disrupted livelihoods and deepened one of the country’s most severe humanitarian crises in recent years,” the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria said.
“UN agencies have also expressed concern that continued attacks and instability are worsening food insecurity and putting pressure on communities in Nigeria and across the region.
“These repeated warnings confirm this is not just a domestic crisis but one that has serious human rights, humanitarian and regional peace and security implications.”
“The Secretary-General’s recent use of Article 99 in relation to Gaza reaffirmed the importance of this role in situations involving large-scale human suffering, humanitarian emergency and risks of wider regional destabilisation.”
“It showed how important it is to act fast when national crises have transboundary impacts, such as displacement and insecurity.”
“Under international human rights law, state responsibility goes beyond not committing direct violations. Nigerian authorities could be liable where they fail to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and remedy abuses by non-state actors where risks are known or reasonably foreseeable.”
“The pattern of abductions, attacks, enforced disappearances, killings and violence across Nigeria is repeatedly documented and foreseeable, and these risks are well known.”
“Where such threats continue in the absence of adequate preventative protection, effective investigation or accountability, serious concerns arise under international human rights law including the UN Charter.”
“Continued insecurity across Nigeria has resulted and continues to result in devastating loss of life, the destruction of communities and fear among millions. “These attacks, their humanitarian consequences and their implications on regional stability are persistent and require urgent international attention.
SERAP has therefore called on Mr António Guterres to:
“Use your authority under Article 99 to immediately draw the attention of the Security Council to the situation in Nigeria.
Encourage the Security Council to provide regular public briefings on the issues of insecurity, abductions and humanitarian consequences in Nigeria.
Call for systematic reporting by relevant UN bodies on attacks, displacement and humanitarian impacts.
We call on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to prevent attacks, protect civilians and ensure the release of abducted persons.
Demand for swift, unbiased and effective probe of all incidents and for perpetrators and enablers to be held accountable.
“Publicly urge the Nigerian authorities to respect their human rights obligations and strengthen civilian protection measures.”
Support measures to combat impunity, and guarantee remedies and reparation to victims and affected communities.
Call on the international community to use all available means to prevent further escalation and to protect the lives of the people.
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