Mob Killing: UNIJOS Alumni Demand Justice as Police Arrest Three Over Graduate’s Death
By Chuwang Dungs, Jos
The University of Jos (UNIJOS) Alumni Association has demanded justice for Ibrahim Mbaya, a 25-year-old graduate of the institution who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Jos over allegations of stealing an iPhone.
The association’s call came as the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to the killing, which has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the growing trend of jungle justice in Nigeria.
Mbaya, a graduate of the University of Jos, model and chef, reportedly died after he was assaulted by a group of youths at Bauchi Ring Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday night.
According to accounts shared by eyewitnesses and on social media, the deceased was accused of stealing a friend’s iPhone.
Although he reportedly denied the allegation, some of his friends allegedly mobilised others who attacked him with planks and other objects until he lost consciousness.
He was later rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where doctors confirmed him dead.
Reacting to the incident, the President of the UNIJOS Alumni Association, Gad Peter, described the killing as a barbaric act that contradicts the values of the university community.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Monday, Peter vowed that the association would pursue justice for the slain graduate.
“This senseless act of murder will not be tolerated. It has no place in our university and does not reflect the values or culture Josities are known for. We will follow up and ensure justice.
“As Josities, we reject violence in all its forms and stand united in condemning this heinous act,” he said.
The incident has continued to generate reactions across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the extrajudicial killing and insisting that the deceased should have been handed over to law enforcement authorities if there was any suspicion of theft.
One social media user described Mbaya as a passionate model and chef who remained in Jos after graduating from the University of Jos in 2024 to build his career. The user argued that there was no publicly available evidence linking him to the alleged theft and questioned why he was subjected to mob violence instead of being investigated by the police.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command said it had commenced a full investigation into the incident and had already arrested three suspects.
In a statement issued on Monday through the Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, the command identified the suspects as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22.
According to the statement, the incident came to the attention of the Police at about 11:20 p.m. on July 26 after a Good Samaritan reported to officers at the Lamingo Police Division that some youths had brought an unconscious man to JUTH under suspicious circumstances.
Police officers who responded identified the victim as Ibrahim Mbaya of Rayfield, Jos. Doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival, while his remains were deposited in the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Police disclosed that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the assault. Investigators said one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was captured in a viral video allegedly striking the victim repeatedly with a large wooden plank and was further identified through photographs obtained during the investigation.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted that they assaulted Mbaya because they suspected him of stealing an iPhone. Rather than report the allegation to the police for proper investigation, they allegedly took the law into their own hands and beat him until he became unconscious.
The command said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jos, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the attack.
It assured that all those found culpable would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Police also condemned the growing practice of jungle justice, stressing that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill anyone accused of committing an offence. The command urged residents to report suspected crimes to security agencies and allow lawful investigation and prosecution instead of resorting to mob action.
The killing has further reignited national conversations about the dangers of mob justice and the need for stronger enforcement of the rule of law, as rights advocates continue to warn that accusations alone should never be used as justification for extrajudicial violence.
