Police arrest three in mob killing of model in Plateau

Police in Plateau State have arrested three men in connection with the mob killing of a 25-year-old model and university graduate, who was beaten to death after being accused of stealing a mobile phone. The victim, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee, died on July 26 following an attack at an off-campus apartment along Ring Road in Jos.

According to police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, officers were alerted late that Sunday night by a report from the Jos University Teaching Hospital, where youths had brought in an unconscious man. Medical personnel confirmed Mbaya was dead on arrival. Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of three suspects: Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25; Emmanuel Newyear, 30; and Nensemka Fwanji, 22. During questioning, the suspects stated that Mbaya was suspected of stealing an iPhone 12. Instead of reporting the alleged theft to authorities, they admitted to taking the law into their own hands and assaulting him until he lost consciousness.

Evidence gathered by police includes a viral video that allegedly shows Emmanuel Newyear striking the victim repeatedly with a large wooden plank. Photographs also reportedly place Newyear at the scene. The three suspects...