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Just In! Assault on Human Rights Defenders: Nigerian Army Allegedly Detains Zongo in Jos
By Our Reporter
Jos (Core Reporters) — Concern has been raised over the reported detention of human rights defender Lawrence Zongo by the Nigerian Army after he visited a military hospital in Jos to attend to relatives injured in a gunmen attack in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zongo, a human rights defender and volunteer with Amnesty International, was reportedly arrested on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the military facility within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, headquarters of the Nigerian Army 3 Division.
He had reportedly gone to the facility to assist family members who were attacked in Meyango, Bassa LGA, on Sunday night.
Sources familiar with the incident said one of Zongo’s first cousins died from injuries sustained in the attack before he arrived at the hospital late Monday morning.
The sources alleged that soldiers arrested Zongo while he was still at the facility and have since kept him in custody without charge.
They further alleged that he had been denied access to his lawyers and family members, describing the detention as incommunicado.
Sources also claimed that Zongo was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses when he visited the military facility, suggesting that this may have contributed to his arrest. However, the claim could not be independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding Zongo’s reported detention, the specific reason for his arrest and whether any formal charge has been brought against him remained unclear.
The Nigerian Army had yet to publicly comment on the reported detention.
The incident has renewed concerns over the treatment of human rights defenders and the need for security agencies to uphold due process and respect the fundamental rights of persons in custody.
It also underscores calls for transparency whenever individuals are detained by security agencies, particularly where no formal charge or explanation has been made public.
