University of Jos graduate allegedly beaten to death over missing iphone, three arrested

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

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos.

A viral video of the incident showed the victim being beaten with planks and canes before being subjected to other forms of assault that allegedly led to his death.

A former student union leader at the University of Jos 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 along Ring Road because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield.

According to the source, the following morning, his friends claimed an iPhone had gone missing and insisted that since they were the only occupants of the room, Mbaya was the prime suspect. He was subsequently beaten to death.

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alabo Alfred, condemned the killing and disclosed that the suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Alfred said, “On 26th July, 2026, at about 11:20 p.m., 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.”

He said police operatives immediately mobilised to the hospital, where the victim was identified as Ibrahim Mbaya, a 25-year-old resident 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,” Alfred added.

According to the police spokesperson, detectives immediately launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22.

He further stated, “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.”

Alfred said the suspects admitted during interrogation that they accused the deceased of stealing an iPhone 12 but, instead of reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities, they took the law into their own hands.

“The suspects took the law into their own hands, attacked the deceased and beat him to a point of unconsciousness,” he said.

The Police Command warned residents against jungle justice, stressing that Nigeria’s criminal justice system provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences, while every suspect is entitled to due process under the law.

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