Mob Violence : How Missing iPhone Claim Ended Life Of UNIJOS Graduate

A missing iPhone allegedly set off a chain of events that ended in the death of a 25-year-old University of Jos graduate and model, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” after he was reportedly beaten by a group of young men who accused him of stealing the device.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, has sparked outrage across Plateau State, with family members, students, friends and members of the entertainment industry demanding justice for the deceased.

According to sources, Mbaya, who had graduated from the University of Jos and was processing an outstanding academic issue, attended a social event on campus before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s residence in Ring Road because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield.

The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone had gone missing and insisted that, since they were the only occupants of the room, he was the prime suspect.

Eyewitnesses said Mbaya initially left the apartment but later returned after receiving a telephone call from the friend asking him to come back and explain the disappearance of the phone.

On his return, he was allegedly confronted by his friend and several other young men in the compound, who accused him of stealing the device.

Witnesses alleged that the group descended on him, severely beating him in an attempt to force a confession. The assault reportedly lasted several hours, during which he was allegedly beaten with sticks and other objects until he became unconscious.

Sources said a nurse was later invited to examine him but reportedly confirmed that he had died. There was also an alleged attempt to move him to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) before security operatives were alerted.

His death has sent shockwaves through Plateau State’s fashion and entertainment community, where he was regarded as one of the state’s fast-rising models. Friends and associates described him as peaceful, hardworking and talented, saying his death had cut short a promising future.

Reacting to the incident, former Acting President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Prince Miaphen, condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.

He called for a thorough investigation and urged security agencies to ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice.

A University of Jos student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no allegation of theft justified the brutal treatment meted out to the deceased.

“Nobody deserves to die because of an allegation. If he was suspected of stealing, he should have been handed over to the police. Justice must be done,” the student said.

Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police Command said it had arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged culpable homicide.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said the command received a report from a Good Samaritan at about 11:20 p.m. on July 26 that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the Jos University Teaching Hospital under suspicious circumstances.

He said police operatives immediately mobilised to the hospital, where Mbaya, a resident of Rayfield, Jos, was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

According to Alabo, the deceased’s body has been deposited in the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while investigations commenced immediately.

He identified the arrested suspects as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji.

The police spokesman said preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was captured in a viral video allegedly using a large wooden plank to assault the deceased and was also identified in photographs obtained by investigators.

He added that the suspects admitted Mbaya was accused of stealing a mobile phone but, instead of reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities, allegedly took the law into their own hands and beat him until he became unconscious.

Alabo said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jos, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

He added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The command condemned jungle justice, warning that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill anyone suspected of committing an offence.

It urged members of the public to report suspected crimes to the police or other security agencies, stressing that mob action undermines the rule of law and exposes perpetrators to criminal prosecution.