Police in Plateau State have arrested three individuals in connection with the alleged torture and murder of a 25-year-old University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, Ibrahim Mbaya, who was accused of stealing an iPhone 12. The suspects were taken into custody after the victim died from injuries sustained during a brutal assault at an off-campus residence in Jos North Local Government Area.
Victim Beaten Unconscious, Pronounced Dead at Hospital
According to police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, the command received a tip-off at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Sunday from a Good Samaritan at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The informant reported that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the facility under suspicious circumstances. Officers immediately rushed to the hospital, where the victim was identified as Ibrahim Mbaya, a resident of Rayfield, Jos. The attending doctor pronounced him dead on arrival.
Detectives launched an investigation and arrested Rinji Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the suspects had accused Mbaya of stealing an iPhone 12 and decided to take the law into their own hands. “Rather than reporting the matter to law enforcement agencies, the suspects attacked the deceased and beat him to the point of unconsciousness,” Alabo stated. He added that one suspect, Emmanuel Newyear, was seen in a viral video wielding a large wooden plank to assault the victim.
Suspects Transferred to SCID; Hunt for Accomplices Underway
The three arrested individuals have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos for further interrogation. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene after the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Witness Details Prolonged Torture and Humiliation
A student who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals told PREMIUM TIMES that Mbaya had spent Saturday night at a friend's off-campus apartment behind the City of David, Ring Road, Jos. The following morning, his host accused him of stealing an iPhone, claiming they were the only two people in the room. Instead of reporting the allegation, several individuals allegedly subjected Mbaya to extended torture.
A graphic video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES shows the victim bound and suspended while being assaulted. In another scene, after severe beating that left him physically exhausted, he was forced to transfer water from one bucket to another using a teaspoon. Students on social media condemned the incident as a prolonged ordeal involving beatings, humiliation, and degradation that eventually led to unconsciousness.
The anonymous source further claimed that those involved later summoned a nurse, who confirmed Mbaya's death. In an apparent attempt to disguise the crime, the suspects allegedly moved the body to JUTH's Accident and Emergency Unit, presenting it as a medical emergency before police were alerted. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify these allegations.
UNIJOS Alumni Condemn the Killing
The University of Jos Alumni Association issued a strong condemnation, describing the act as senseless and incompatible with the institution's values. “We condemn this senseless and reprehensible act in the strongest possible terms,” the association stated on its verified social media platforms. “Violence has no place within our university community and stands in direct contradiction to the values of excellence, character, mutual respect, and humanity upon which the University of Jos was founded.”
The alumni body called on security agencies to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation. “No grievance, disagreement, or circumstance can ever justify the taking of a human life. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into this incident and ensure that everyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.” The group emphasized that accountability is essential to maintain confidence in campus safety and to honor Mbaya's memory.
Police Reject Mob Justice
The police also denounced the resort to extrajudicial action. Alabo stressed that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill a person merely on suspicion of committing an offence. He urged the public to report criminal allegations to law enforcement rather than engaging in self-help. “Nigeria’s administration of the criminal justice system provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences, and every suspect is entitled to due process under the law,” he said.
Broader Security Concerns in Jos
The killing has heightened anxieties about security within and around the University of Jos community. Earlier this month, the headless body of a middle-aged farmer was found on farmland within the university's premises. University officials confirmed that the victim was not a student or staff member but regularly farmed the land where his remains were discovered.
More broadly, Plateau State has witnessed a deterioration in security. Recent incidents reported by PREMIUM TIMES include attacks in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and Jos South, an attempted assault on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, kidnappings along major highways, and the abduction and murder of filmmaker Khalid Tunde Wahid, who was taken from his home near a police station and found dead in a nearby bush.
Students, alumni, and residents are now intensifying calls for authorities to bolster security around university campuses and ensure that all those responsible for Mbaya's torture and death are prosecuted. The case underscores the urgent need to address the culture of jungle justice and reinforce the rule of law.
