Jos, Plateau State – What began as an allegation over a missing iPhone ended in tragedy after a University of Jos (UniJos) graduate, Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee, was allegedly lynched by a mob in Jos, Plateau State.
The shocking incident, which has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria, reportedly occurred after Mbaya spent the night at a friend’s apartment in the Ring Road area of Jos. The following morning, the apartment owner allegedly discovered that an iPhone 12 was missing and accused the graduate of stealing the device.
Rather than reporting the matter to security agencies for investigation, some occupants of the residence allegedly descended on the young graduate, beating him mercilessly with planks and other dangerous objects.
Videos that have since gone viral on social media captured the victim being brutally assaulted by several persons before he eventually became unconscious.
Mbaya was later rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
The Plateau State Police Command said it launched an investigation after receiving information from a Good Samaritan about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.
Police have since arrested three suspects—Rinji Daniel Fwanji (25), Emmanuel Newyear (30), and Nensemka Fwanji (22)—over their alleged involvement in the killing. The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the mob attack.
The police condemned the act of jungle justice, stressing that criminal allegations should always be reported to law enforcement authorities instead of being resolved through violence.
Authorities also noted that investigations are still ongoing and have not confirmed that the missing iPhone was recovered from the deceased. Likewise, no court had found him guilty of theft before he was killed.
The gruesome killing has drawn strong condemnation from the University of Jos Alumni Association, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), civil society organisations and human rights advocates, who have all demanded justice for the slain graduate and the prosecution of everyone responsible.
Before his untimely death, Mbaya was building a promising career as a model and entrepreneur and had recently been named among the finalists of the Mr & Miss Glam Nigeria pageant.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of jungle justice in Nigeria, with many Nigerians calling for stronger public awareness, swift prosecution of offenders and greater respect for the rule of law.
