Human rights defender and Amnesty International volunteer, Lawrence Zongo, has been released from the custody of the Nigerian Army in Jos, Plateau State, after spending 10 days in detention amid mounting pressure from rights organisations and activists.
Zongo’s release followed demands by Amnesty International and the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement for his immediate freedom, with both organisations raising concerns over his alleged incommunicado detention at the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division in Jos.
“Zongo is out,” a source familiar with the development told ChroniclesReporters on Thursday.
ChroniclesReporters gathered that Zongo was arrested on October 5 while visiting relatives receiving treatment at a military hospital within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Division.
The arrest was first reported on October 7, when reports indicated that Zongo had visited the military facility to assist family members who were attacked by gunmen in Meyango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, 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.
Following his arrest, sources alleged that Zongo was detained without charge and denied access to his lawyers and family members, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.
There were also claims that Zongo was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses when he visited the military facility, which some sources suggested might have contributed to the soldiers’ decision to detain him. However, the claim had not been independently verified.
On October 8, Amnesty International raised the alarm over what it described as the arbitrary and incommunicado detention of its member, demanding that the military either release him immediately or hand him over to the appropriate civilian authorities.
The organisation said its efforts to gain access to Zongo had been unsuccessful and called on the Nigerian Army to explain the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.
Amnesty International’s intervention heightened concerns among human rights advocates over the treatment of Zongo and the alleged denial of access to his family and legal representatives.
On October 13, the Plateau State chapter of the Take-It-Back Movement also demanded his release, alleging that he remained in military custody without a clear explanation for his detention.
The group said its members and executive committee representatives had discussed the matter during an appearance on JayFM Jos, insisting that the military should disclose the offence Zongo was suspected of committing and provide evidence to justify his continued detention.
The movement further called for respect for Zongo’s fundamental rights, urging the Army to follow established legal procedures if there were allegations against him.
His release comes after several days of pressure from human rights organisations and activists seeking answers about his arrest and demanding that the military account for his detention.
As of Thursday, the Nigerian Army had not publicly disclosed the reasons for Zongo’s arrest or provided details about the circumstances surrounding his release.