Three suspects have been arrested after a 25-year-old University of Jos graduating student was allegedly tortured to death over a missing iPhone.
The victim, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” was allegedly beaten to death after spending the night at a friend’s off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, Plateau State.
Orijoreporter had earlier reported the tragic incident.
Mbaya, who was reportedly a model, had attended a social event on campus before deciding to sleep over at his friend’s residence because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield. He was also said to be processing an outstanding academic issue ahead of graduation.
Trouble allegedly began the next morning when his host claimed an iPhone had disappeared. Since the two of them were the only occupants of the room, Mbaya was accused of stealing the device.
Instead of reporting the matter to the police, the suspects allegedly took the law into their own hands.
The young student was allegedly tortured and brutally beaten until he became unconscious. A disturbing video showing him being assaulted later surfaced online and quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage.
Confirming the arrests, the Plateau State Police Command said three suspects—Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22—are now in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Police spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, said officers launched an immediate investigation after receiving a report from the Jos University Teaching Hospital that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.
The victim was confirmed dead on arrival, while his remains were deposited in the mortuary for an autopsy.
According to the police, investigations identified Emmanuel Newyear as the man seen in a viral video allegedly striking the victim repeatedly with a large wooden plank.
The suspects reportedly confessed that Mbaya was attacked because they suspected him of stealing an iPhone 12 instead of handing him over to law enforcement authorities.
The police condemned the act of jungle justice and warned Nigerians against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that criminal allegations must be handled through due legal process.
