The offices of several United Nations Special Rapporteurs have formally queried the Federal Government over allegations of serious human rights violations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, increasing international scrutiny of the prolonged violence in the area.

This was contained in a statement issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, alongside mandates focusing on the rights to food, adequate housing and related issues, following a 2025 Joint Urgent Appeal submitted by eyeWitness to Atrocities and the International Committee of Nigeria (ICON).

The group, eyeWitness, founded by the International Bar Association (IBA), said the appeal was supported with digital evidence documenting alleged unlawful killings, displacement and destruction across affected communities.

Director of eyeWitness, Carrie Bowker, said the decision by multiple UN Special Rapporteurs to engage the Nigerian government reflected the seriousness of the allegations emerging from the Middle Belt.

“The evidence securely captured using the eyeWitness app by ICON and local documenters reflects the experiences of communities who have endured years of violence, displacement and loss. Meaningful investigations and accountability are now essential,” Bowker said.

An ICON documenter, Lawrence Zongo, described the communication as recognition of the organisation’s efforts to systematically document violence in pursuit of justice for affected communities.

In the communication, the UN experts requested detailed information from Nigerian authorities on measures taken at the federal and state levels to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of unlawful killings and other abuses.

They also sought clarification on efforts to ensure accountability for attacks allegedly carried out by non-state actors, allegations that security agencies failed to adequately protect civilians, and measures to support internally displaced persons and other affected communities.