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Amnesty International demands immediate release of Plateau journalist allegedly arrested by military

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Global non-governmental human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of a Plateau State-based human rights and conflict journalist, Lawrence Zongo, who was reportedly arrested on Monday, October 5, 2026.

He was allegedly arrested by the Nigerian Army after he visited a military medical facility in Jos to see his relatives who were receiving treatment for injuries they sustained in an attack in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

According to the organisation, Zongo, who is a reporter with TruthNigeria and also a volunteer with Amnesty International, was arrested at a military hospital within the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division in Jos, and has been held incommunicado since then.

The organisation said that since Zongo’s arrest and alleged unlawful detention, all efforts to gain access to him have so far been denied by the army authorities, in utter disregard for due process.

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“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 was allegedly taken into custody on Monday at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, which houses the headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division in Jos, according to sources familiar with the incident. Mr Zongo must either be handed over to civil authorities or immediately released,” it added.

Also confirming Zongo’s arrest, conflict journalist, Masara Kim Usman said his colleague had visited the medical facility to see his relatives, who were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani militants, but was arrested by soldiers.

Writing on his Facebook page on Thursday, Kim said:

“The HQ Nigerian Army on Monday arrested Christian journalist and rights activist, Lawrence Zongo, at a military hospital in Jos where he had gone to visit family members attacked by armed Fulani militants the previous day.

“Zongo, a reporter with TruthNigeria and a volunteer with Amnesty International, has remained in custody without charges. Reports say military authorities are denying him access to lawyers and family.

“He had gone to the hospital at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment (Rukuba Barracks), HQ of 3 Division, to assist his cousins attacked Sunday night in Meyango, Bassa LGA. One of the victims, a first cousin, had died by the time Zongo arrived late Monday morning.

“Sources say while he was still processing the loss, soldiers arrested him and held him incommunicado. His only ‘offense,’ sources allege, was being a rights activist who visited the barracks wearing Ray-Ban glasses.”

However, the Nigerian Army has not publicly confirmed the reported arrest and detention of Zongo, nor has it given any explanation as to the circumstances that led to the purported arrest.

Calls and text messages sent to the Media Information Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, Victor Olukoya Victor, to confirm the development went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

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EuroMatch NPFL: “Your Support Means Everything” — Qamar Adegoke Thanks Shooting Stars Fans After Kano Pillars Draw

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Shooting Stars midfielder Qamar Adegoke has expressed his appreciation to the club’s supporters following the Oluyole Warriors’ goalless draw against Kano Pillars in the rescheduled Matchday 3 fixture of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League.

Sports247 reports that the encounter, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, ended 0–0 as Shooting Stars were unable to convert their home advantage into maximum points.

Despite the frustrating result, Adegoke acknowledged the unwavering support of the club’s fans, praising them for standing by the team through every moment of the campaign.

“To our fans who continue to stand with us, your support means everything.”

The midfielder further stressed the importance of the supporters to the team, appreciating their continued presence and encouragement regardless of the outcome on the pitch.

“Through every moment, you’ve been there, and we truly appreciate you.”

Shooting Stars came into the fixture looking to return to winning ways after being held to another goalless draw by Nasarawa United in their previous home league outing.

However, Kano Pillars proved difficult to break down as both sides battled for supremacy without finding the decisive goal.

For Adegoke, the result will undoubtedly leave the team wanting more, but his message to the supporters underlined the importance of maintaining unity as the season progresses.

The midfielder concluded his message with a rallying call for the team and its supporters to remain together and continue working towards their objectives.

“Together, we keep pushing.”

The Oluyole Warriors will now turn their attention to their next assignment, with the team hoping to build on the positives from the fixture and end their run of home draws.

For Adegoke and his teammates, the backing of the Shooting Stars faithful remains a crucial source of motivation as they continue their EuroMatch NPFL campaign.

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Orbih rejected inducements to abandon my 2015 governorship ambition – Wike 

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the late National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, South South, Chief Daniel Orbih, rejected several inducements and pressure to abandon his support for his 2015 governorship ambition in Rivers State.

Wike disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a night of tributes held in honour of Orbih, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.

The former Rivers State governor said Orbih remained loyal to him during a difficult political period between 2013 and 2014, despite attempts by his political opponents to frustrate his ambition.

Wike recalled that the then Rivers State governor sent people to Orbih with offers aimed at persuading him to withdraw his support.

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“There was nothing in this world that was not done to induce him. My governor then sent people to Dan, offered him everything in this world, but Dan stood firm and said, ‘No, I will not accept, I will not agree,’” Wike said.

He described Orbih as the person God used to pave the way for his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015.

“Today I am a Minister of the FCT; yesterday I was a governor. Who did God use for me to become governor? It was Dan,” he said.

According to Wike, Orbih went beyond political support by helping to strengthen his campaign and security arrangements, including donating two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses.

He said the late politician also mobilised political structures across the South South in support of his ambition.

Wike described Orbih as a politician more interested in loyalty and service than personal benefits, saying he never approached him for contracts or favours during his eight years as governor.

“Dan is not a typical Nigerian politician. Throughout my eight years as governor, he never came for one day, either by phone or coming to my house to say, ‘I need this contract.’ Never,” he said.

The FCT minister said Orbih’s loyalty and commitment were qualities that had also been demonstrated by his family over the years.

He credited the late politician with helping to protect the political interests of the South South, saying many politicians who currently occupy elective offices benefited from his efforts.

Wike said Orbih’s contributions to politics and the development of Edo State deserved greater recognition, urging stakeholders in the state to consider giving him a state burial.

He also promised to maintain his relationship with Orbih’s family and support efforts to preserve his political legacy.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, said Orbih played a major role in introducing him to politics.

Abe described the deceased as a bridge builder whose political influence extended beyond party lines.

Similarly, former Edo State governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih contributed to making him a better governor despite their political differences.

Oshiomhole said he often considered how Orbih and the opposition would interpret his decisions before taking major actions while he was governor.

He thanked Wike for helping to reconcile him with Orbih after years of political disagreement, recalling that their reconciliation began at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.

In his tribute, former PDP presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, described Orbih as a public intellectual, patriot, family man and defender of Edo heritage.

He said the late politician left a lasting impact on the people around him through his public service and commitment to his community.

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