Three arrested over mob killing of 25-year-old in Jos

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the gruesome killing of a 25-year-old man suspected of stealing a phone in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command received a report on Sunday at the Lamingo Police Division from a Good Samaritan at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), informing the police that some youths had brought an unconscious man to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.

The command stated that, upon receiving the report, its officers immediately mobilised to the hospital, where the victim was identified as Ibrahim Mbaya, a 25-year-old male from Rayfield, Jos. He was, however, confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty, and his remains were deposited in the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

It added that a follow-up investigation led to the arrest of three suspects, identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25, Emmanuel Newyear, 30, and Nensemka Fwanji, 22.

The statement further revealed that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, was captured in a viral video using a large wooden plank to assault the deceased.

“During the interrogation of the suspects, they revealed that the victim was suspected of stealing an iPhone 12. Rather than reporting the matter to law enforcement agencies, the suspects took the law into their own hands, attacked the deceased and beat him until he became unconscious.”

The command stated that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jos, while a discreet investigation is ongoing. It added that efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects connected to the crime.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command strongly condemned the resort to jungle justice and reiterated that no individual or group has the legal authority to assault or kill anyone suspected of committing an offence.

It emphasised that Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice System provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences and that every suspect is entitled to due process under the law.

The command warned that resorting to self-help and mob action not only undermines the rule of law but also exposes perpetrators to criminal prosecution.