Four suspects arrested in connection with the death of Ibrahim Mbaya, a Political Science student at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), have confessed to participating in the assault that led to his death. The suspects made the admissions while being paraded by the Plateau State Police Command.
Suspects Give Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos North Local Government Area. According to police, the suspects accused Mbaya of stealing a mobile phone, which triggered the fatal attack.
One suspect, Emmanuel Newyear, admitted striking Mbaya with a plank three times after his cousin reported a missing phone. “I first slapped him inside the room and later brought him outside. I was the one that hit him with plank three times. I beat him because I want him to tell me where the phone is,” Newyear told police.
Another suspect, Teslor Joshua, acknowledged holding Mbaya’s hands while others tied him with a rope during the assault. The suspects’ separate accounts pointed to a missing phone as the catalyst for the violence.
Phone Owner Recounts Night of Incident
Rinji Daniel, who identified himself as the owner of the missing phone, told police that Mbaya had spent the night in his room after they returned from an event. Daniel said Mbaya stepped outside to answer a call and never returned. When Daniel woke around 4 a.m., he discovered both his phone and his brother’s missing power bank had been taken.
“I used another person’s phone to call his number, he then picked the call and cut it again. I then reported the case to my cousin. That is where the whole thing started,” Daniel stated.
Viral Video Fuels Public Outrage
A video of the attack, which showed Mbaya being beaten with planks and canes before suffering other forms of abuse, spread rapidly on social media, triggering widespread anger and demands for justice.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that the suspects are in custody and that investigations are ongoing. Police spokesperson DSP Alfred Alabo said the force is committed to ensuring a thorough inquiry and that the suspects will face the full weight of the law.
Similar Incident in Lagos
In a separate but related incident, Lagos police reported the death of 24-year-old commercial motorcycle rider Kulaha Ayuba, who was beaten to death after a false rumour of armed bandits spread on social media. Frightened youths mistook Ayuba for a suspected bandit, beat him, and stole his motorcycle.
These cases highlight the dangers of mob violence and the spread of unverified information, as law enforcement agencies urge the public to report suspicions to authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
