UN Chief Urged to Refer Nigeria to Security Council Over Escalating Insecurity

Escalating Insecurity in Nigeria

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to immediately use his authority under Article 99 of the UN Charter to bring Nigeria's escalating insecurity to the attention of the UN Security Council. The crisis has seen mass abductions, killings, attacks on civilians, mass displacement, and other grave human rights violations in the country.

The Urgent Appeal by SERAP

SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare signed an open letter on 30 May 2026, which outlined the organisation's appeal. According to the letter, Nigeria's insecurity and grave human rights violations pose a threat to international peace and security, risk aggravating existing threats in the region, and require urgent preventive diplomacy, sustained international scrutiny, and coordinated international action.

SERAP highlighted the scale, persistence, and regional implications of the insecurity in Nigeria, which have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction, and collective trauma across the country. The organisation noted that the crisis in Nigeria is not merely a domestic law-enforcement issue but has regional implications through cross-border movement of armed groups and weapons, large-scale displacement, growing instability extending beyond Nigeria's borders, and weakening human rights protection and rule-of-law institutions.

The Devastating Consequences of Abductions

Armed men attacked multiple schools in Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, on 15 May 2026, including Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. At least 25 pupils and seven teachers were abducted, while one assistant headmaster was reportedly killed, and another teacher later died in captivity.

Distressing videos circulated, showing an abducted teacher pleading with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Nigerians to secure the release of the victims. The abductees are being held in harsh conditions, exposed to extreme weather, and are calling for urgent dialogue to save their lives.

Nigeria's Insecurity: A Threat to Regional Peace

The crisis in Nigeria has regional implications, with reports of escalating attacks by non-state armed groups in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions. The recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, reportedly killed at least 23 people and injured over 100 others. These attacks have been accompanied by repeated assaults on military formations, attacks on internally displaced persons' camps, abductions of women and children, and killings.

Context: Nigeria's Insecurity Crisis

Nigeria's escalating insecurity is a long-standing issue, with various forms of attacks and violence recurring in different parts of the country. The recent incidents of mass abductions, killings, and attacks on civilians have highlighted the need for urgent international attention and action to address the crisis. The insecurity has created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people displaced and in dire need of assistance.

Nigeria's insecurity has regional implications, and international action is required to prevent the crisis from spreading to other countries.