The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the tragic mob killing of a 25-year-old student, Ibrahim Mbaya, in Jos.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the suspects were apprehended following a swift investigation into the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage.
The police disclosed that the case came to light after a Good Samaritan reported to officers at about 11:20 p.m. on July 26 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. The report indicated that a group of youths had brought in an unconscious man under suspicious circumstances.
Police operatives responded promptly and identified the victim as Ibrahim Mbaya, a resident of Rayfield, Jos. Unfortunately, he was confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel. His remains have since been deposited in the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji (25), Emmanuel Newyear (30), and Nensemka Fwanji (22).
Further findings revealed that Mbaya was allegedly accused of stealing an iPhone 12. Instead of reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities, the suspects and others reportedly took the law into their own hands, assaulting him severely until he lost consciousness.
One of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was allegedly captured in a viral video using a wooden plank to attack the victim, a development that aided investigators in tracking down those involved.
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The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos, where further investigations are ongoing. Police authorities have also intensified efforts to apprehend other individuals connected to the crime who are currently on the run.
Condemning the act, the police emphasized that no individual or group has the legal right to administer mob justice, regardless of the accusation.
“The Administration of Criminal Justice System provides lawful procedures for handling criminal cases. Every suspect is entitled to due process under the law,” the statement noted.
The command urged members of the public to always report suspected criminal activities to the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to violence, warning that mob action undermines the rule of law and carries severe legal consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also condemned the incident, describing Mbaya’s death as heartbreaking and calling for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.
The case has once again reignited concerns over the rising trend of mob justice in Nigeria and the urgent need for public awareness on lawful conflict resolution.
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