Amnesty International has condemned the alleged unlawful detention and torture of Plateau State activist Nansel Selnan Lar, who was reportedly arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 24 Armoured Brigade in Langtang North on October 27, 2026.
The human rights organisation said Lar’s arrest was allegedly linked to photographs and videos of local government projects that he posted on Facebook while questioning public spending and demanding accountability from the council chairman.
According to information received by Amnesty International, the activist was allegedly tortured by military personnel, who accused him of taking and publishing the images. He is currently being held in police custody in Langtang North Local Government Area, the organisation said.
Amnesty International maintained that Lar’s detention was connected to his efforts to scrutinise local government expenditure and demand explanations for funds allocated to public projects.
The organisation disclosed that the activist’s ordeal began in June 2026, when he submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests seeking details of local government budgets, capital projects and expenditure.
Rather than receiving responses to his requests, Lar was allegedly arrested multiple times and subjected to what Amnesty International described as a sham trial based on unfounded charges. He had reportedly spent 46 days in prison before the latest incident.
The organisation stressed that demanding transparency and accountability from public officials was a legitimate civic responsibility and should not attract punishment.
Amnesty International called for Lar’s immediate and unconditional release, urging the authorities to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, access to information and accountability in public administration.
