SERAP Seeks UN Security Council’s Intervention In Nigeria’s Worsening Insecurity

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the United Nations secretary-general António Guterres to formally present Nigeria’s escalating security crisis to the UN Security Council. I

t warned that ongoing killings, mass abductions and widespread displacement now threaten regional peace and stability.

In an open letter dated 30th May, 2026 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged Guterres to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter. This seldom-used provision allows the secretary-general to draw the Security Council’s attention to situations that may threaten international peace and security.

SERAP argued that the worsening security situation in Nigeria has surpassed a domestic law enforcement issue, citing repeated attacks on communities, schools, and civilians across various states, including Benue, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Oyo.

The civil organisation maintained that years of violence have caused widespread humanitarian suffering, destruction of livelihoods, and mass displacement, with consequences increasingly spilling beyond Nigeria’s borders.

SERAP stated, ” Placing the escalating insecurity and grave human rights violations in Nigeria on the Security Council’s agenda would strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations system in fulfilling its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.”

The organisation pointed to recent incidents, such as the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, attacks on communities in Benue State, bomb explosions in Borno State, and deadly assaults in Katsina and Adamawa states, as evidence of what it described as a worsening national emergency.

SERAP expressed concern that armed groups and criminal networks continue to operate with devastating consequences for civilians, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of communities, and increasing humanitarian challenges.

The rights organisation also referenced previous statements by prominent United Nations officials expressing concern over insecurity in Nigeria, noting that Guterres had condemned killings in Benue State in 2025 and denounced a terrorist attack in Kwara State earlier this year, while the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of rising cases of mass abductions nationwide.

According to SERAP, repeated warnings from UN agencies show that the crisis has important humanitarian, human rights, and regional security implications that demand sustained international attention.

It further argued that, under international human rights law, governments have a duty to protect citizens from foreseeable threats, to investigate abuses, and to hold perpetrators accountable.

The organisation maintained that the recurring pattern of kidnappings, attacks on schools, killings, and displacement demonstrates that the risks are well understood and require stronger preventive measures.

As part of its appeal, SERAP called on the UN Secretary-General to seek regular Security Council briefings on insecurity in Nigeria, promote systematic reporting on attacks and displacement, and urge Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to protect civilians and secure the release of abductees.

It also advocated independent investigations into violent incidents, stronger accountability measures for perpetrators, and increased international support to prevent further deterioration of the security situation.

SERAP warned that without urgent action, Nigeria’s insecurity could deepen humanitarian suffering and further undermine stability across the West African sub-region.