Three arrested as Mob beats 25-year-old man to death in Jos

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the mob killing of a 25-year-old man allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths over the suspected theft of an iPhone 12 in Jos.

The command condemned the incident, describing jungle justice as unlawful and warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.

Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the victim, Ibrahim Mbaya, a resident of Rayfield in Jos South Local Government Area, was allegedly attacked by the mob on Sunday.

According to Alabo, the Lamingo Police Division received a distress report from a Good Samaritan after the unconscious victim was rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Police operatives immediately visited the hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that Mbaya was dead on arrival.

Alabo said detectives swiftly launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Newyear was captured in a viral video allegedly striking the deceased with a large wooden plank, while photographs obtained by investigators also placed him at the scene of the attack.

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

He disclosed that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos for further investigation, while security operatives have intensified efforts to apprehend other suspects who fled after the incident.

The police said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Condemning the growing trend of mob justice, Alabo stressed that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill anyone suspected of committing an offence.

He urged residents to report criminal activities to security agencies and allow due process to take its course, warning that anyone found engaging in jungle justice would face the full weight of the law. (NAN)