By Palang Paul
The Nigerian Army has reportedly detained human rights defender Lawrence Zongo after he visited a military hospital in Jos to see relatives injured in a gunmen attack in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Zongo, a Journalist,human rights defender and volunteer with Amnesty International, was reportedly arrested on Monday, October 5, 2026, at a military facility within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, headquarters of the Nigerian Army 3 Division.
He had reportedly gone to the facility to assist relatives who were attacked in Meyango, Bassa LGA, on Sunday night of 4th October 2026.
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 continued to hold him without charge. Under Section 35(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), any person arrested or detained must be informed in writing within 24 hours of the facts and grounds for the arrest. Section 35(4) further requires an arrested person to be brought before a court within a reasonable time, which the Constitution defines as one day where a court is within a 40-kilometre radius, or two days in other circumstances, subject to limited exceptions. But unfortunately the military refuses to obey the law.
They further alleged that he has been denied access to his lawyers and family members, describing the reported detention as incommunicado.
Sources also claimed that Zongo was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses when he entered the military facility and suggested that this may have contributed to his arrest. However, the claim has not been independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Zongo’s reported detention, whether he has been formally charged and the circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear.
The case raises concerns about due process and the protection of the Nigerian Constitution,rights of human rights defenders, particularly regarding access to legal representation and family members while in custody.
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