Police vow justice after mob attack leaves young man dead in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three persons in connection with the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old man in Jos, warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.

The victim, identified as Ibrahim Mbaya from the Rayfield area of Jos South Local Government Area, reportedly died after he was attacked by a group of youths over allegations that he had stolen an iPhone 12.

The command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday in Jos.

According to Alabo, officers at the Lamingo Police Division swung into action after receiving information from a concerned resident that the victim had been taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital on Sunday.

When detectives arrived at the hospital, medical personnel confirmed that Mbaya had already died before reaching the facility.

Police investigations led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji.

Alabo said evidence gathered during the investigation included a viral video that allegedly showed Newyear striking the victim repeatedly with a large wooden plank. Investigators also recovered photographs that reportedly placed him at the scene of the attack.

“The suspects admitted attacking the deceased instead of reporting the alleged theft to law enforcement authorities,” Alabo said.

The police spokesman said the three suspects had been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Jos, while efforts were ongoing to track down other individuals believed to have participated in the attack.

He added that the suspects would be arraigned after the investigation was completed.

Alabo strongly criticised the resort to mob action, stressing that members of the public had no legal right to assault or kill anyone merely on suspicion of committing an offence.

He also appealed to residents to report suspected criminal activities to the appropriate security agencies and allow due process to take its course.