How 25-Year-Old Model, Unijos Graduate Was Killed Over Alleged Phone Theft

A 25-year-old University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” has been allegedly killed by students over alleged phone theft.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area, along Ring Road in Jos.

A video of the incident, which has gone viral, showed how the suspects beat him with planks and canes and subsequently subjected him to different forms of punishment that led to his death

A former union leader of the University told Daily Trust that Mbaya, who was still processing an outstanding academic issue, had 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.

He explained that the following morning, his friends claimed an iPhone had gone missing and insisted that since they were the only occupants of the room, he was the prime suspect. Thereafter, they beat him to death.

Police arrest three suspects

Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the beating and killing of the victim.

In a statement, spokesperson of the command, SP Alabo Alfred, condemned the incident, saying the suspects are currently at the state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

SP Alfred narrated that, “On 26th July, 2026, at about 11:20pm, the Command received a report at the Lamingo Police Division through a Good Samaritan from the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), informing the Police that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.

“Upon receipt of the report, Police operatives immediately mobilized to the hospital, where the victim was identified as one Ibrahim Mbaya, male, aged 25 years, of Rayfield, Jos. Unfortunately, he was confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty. His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“Having received this report, our detectives immediately opened an investigation into the matter, and the following suspects were arrested: one Rinji Daniel Fwanji, male, 25 years, Emmanuel Newyear, male, 30 years, and Nensemka Fwanji, male, 22 years.

“Further investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was captured in a viral video using a large wooden plank to assault the deceased victim. He has also been identified in photographs obtained during the investigation.

“In the course of interviewing the suspects, they revealed that the victim was suspected to have stolen an iPhone 12 and rather than reporting the matter to law enforcement agencies, the suspects took the law into their own hands, attacked the deceased and beat him to a point of unconsciousness, “ he added.

The command, however, warned residents against jungle justice, emphasizing that Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice System provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences, and every suspect is entitled to due process under the law. (Daily trust)