Three arrested as mob kills UniJos student over alleged phone theft

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the death of Ibrahim Mbaya, a University of Jos student and model, who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob over accusations of stealing an iPhone 12 in Jos.

Alfred Alabo, the Police spokesperson said the incident occurred on July 26 and was reported to the Lamingo Police Division after some youths brought the 25-year-old to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

“Unfortunately, he was confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty. His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” the statement read.

“Further investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was captured in a viral video using a large wooden plank to assault the deceased victim. He has also been identified in photographs obtained during the investigation,” the statement added.

“In the course of interviewing the suspects, they revealed that the victim was suspected to have stolen an iPhone 12 and rather than reporting the matter to law enforcement agencies, the suspects took the law into their own hands, attacked the deceased and beat him to a point of unconsciousness,” the police said.

“The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jos, where discreet investigation is ongoing. Efforts have also been intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects connected to the crime. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged to court accordingly.”

The command condemned jungle justice and stressed that no individual or group has the legal authority to assault or kill anyone suspected of committing an offence, urging residents to always report crimes to law enforcement agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.