The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old University of Jos graduate and model, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee.
Mbaya’s death has sparked widespread outrage across Plateau State and on social media, with family members, friends, students and members of the entertainment industry demanding justice.
The deceased was reportedly accused of stealing an iPhone 12 before he was allegedly tortured and beaten by a group of young men in Jos.
According to sources, Mbaya had attended a social event at the University of Jos before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s residence in the Ring Road area because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield.
The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone had gone missing and accused him of being the prime suspect since they were the only occupants of the room.
Eyewitnesses said Mbaya initially left the apartment but later returned after receiving a phone call from the friend requesting that he come back to explain the missing device.
On his return, he was allegedly confronted by his friend and several other young men, who accused him of stealing the phone.
The group reportedly assaulted him for several hours in an attempt to force a confession, leaving him unconscious. A video of the assault, which has since circulated on social media, allegedly showed one of the suspects repeatedly striking the victim with a large wooden plank.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said the command received a report at about 11:20 p.m. on July 26 from a Good Samaritan at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), informing officers that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.
Police operatives immediately responded and identified the victim as Ibrahim Mbaya of Rayfield, Jos.
According to Alabo, the medical doctor on duty confirmed Mbaya dead on arrival, while his remains were deposited in the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
He said detectives immediately launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22.
The police spokesperson disclosed that investigations revealed Emmanuel Newyear was captured in a viral video allegedly using a large wooden plank to assault the deceased. He was also identified in photographs obtained during the investigation.
According to the command, the suspects admitted during interrogation that they suspected Mbaya of stealing an iPhone 12 but chose to take the law into their own hands instead of reporting the matter to the police.
The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who remain at large.
The police said all those found culpable would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Condemning the incident, the Plateau State Police Command described jungle justice as unlawful and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
The command emphasized that Nigeria’s criminal justice system provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences, adding that every suspect is entitled to due process under the law.
The police urged residents to report cases of theft, assault and other criminal activities to the nearest police station or relevant security agencies rather than resorting to mob action, warning that perpetrators of jungle justice would face prosecution.
The command also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support effective policing across Plateau State.