The Nigerian Army has attributed the arrest of Plateau State-based journalist Lawrence Zongo to alleged unauthorised access to a restricted military facility, citing security concerns over his use of Meta smart glasses.
Mr Zongo, a conflict journalist and volunteer reporter with Amnesty International, was arrested on 5 October at a military medical facility within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Division in Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State.
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He had reportedly visited the facility to see relatives receiving treatment for injuries sustained in an attack in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
Amnesty International raised the alarm over his detention on Wednesday, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
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The organisation said Mr Zongo had been held incommunicado since his arrest and that efforts to gain access to him had been unsuccessful.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention of our member in Plateau State, Mr Lawrence Zongo, who has been unlawfully detained incommunicado in military detention in Jos since Monday,” the organisation said.
“Mr Zongo must either be handed over to civil authorities or immediately released.”
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However, the Army, in a statement on Friday, said Mr Zongo was arrested after allegedly entering the restricted facility without obtaining the required clearance from the relevant authorities.
The military also cited his use of Meta smart glasses, which it considered a potential security concern within the installation.
The Army disputed suggestions that pressure from Amnesty International and other groups forced it to release the journalist.
Circumstances of arrest and release
Conflict journalist Masara Kim provided additional details about the arrest and subsequent release in a social media post.
According to Mr Kim, Mr Zongo entered the military facility without clearance, wearing Meta smart glasses, and headed toward the hospital.
He said the journalist identified himself as an Amnesty International volunteer who had come to visit relatives receiving treatment.
Mr Kim added that military police questioned him after they were reportedly unable to verify his claim that the patients were his relatives.
These details could not be independently verified.
Mr Kim said some military personnel had vowed to charge Mr Zongo with espionage, but interventions by individuals and groups contributed to his eventual release.
He named youth leaders Dalyop Mwantiri and Ezekiel Bini among those who intervened, saying they appealed on the journalist’s behalf and undertook to produce him whenever required for further investigation.
According to Mr Usman, Mr Zongo was scheduled to be transferred to Abuja on 9 October but was released following the interventions.
He added that the investigation would continue and that the journalist could be required to assist with further inquiries.
The available information does not establish whether Mr Zongo was formally accused of an offence or whether the Army has concluded its investigation.
Amnesty raises due process concerns
Amnesty International has maintained that Mr Zongo’s detention raised serious concerns about his fundamental rights and due process.
The organisation demanded his release or transfer to civilian authorities, saying efforts to gain access to him had been unsuccessful.
READ ALSO: Army allegedly detains Plateau human rights defender
While the Army cited alleged unauthorised access to a restricted military installation and security concerns over the journalist’s smart glasses, questions remain about the legal basis for his detention and the circumstances surrounding his release.
The available accounts do not establish whether Mr Zongo was informed of the grounds for his arrest or granted access to legal representation during his detention.
The Army’s explanation and Amnesty International’s concerns highlight the need for clarity on the legal basis for the detention and the status of the investigation.
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