Four suspects arrested over the mob killing of University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, popularly known as Ibee, have confessed to their involvement during police interrogation.
The case has sparked widespread outrage after the prime suspect admitted striking the victim three times with a wooden plank over an alleged stolen iPhone 12.
Mbaya, a Political Science graduate awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reportedly died after being brutally assaulted by a mob instead of being handed over to the police. In an interrogation video released by Manari TV, the suspects narrated their roles to the Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo.
The prime suspect, 30-year-old Emmanuel Newyear, admitted he attacked Mbaya after believing he was hiding the missing phone. He said he slapped and beat the victim with a plank after searches at locations mentioned by Mbaya failed to recover the device.
Newyear added that when he later returned to the scene, he found a crowd had gathered, shaved Mbaya’s hair, and subjected him to further torture.
The owner of the missing phone, 25-year-old Rinji Daniel Fwanji, told investigators that Mbaya spent the night at his residence after an event on July 26 but allegedly left around 4:00 a.m. with the phone.
Another suspect, Joshua Tell, confessed to holding Mbaya’s legs while others tied and suspended him. Daniel’s brother, Nensemka Fwanji, said he eventually rushed the unconscious victim to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
The victim’s younger sister demanded justice, insisting her brother was peaceful, hardworking, and had never been accused of theft. She said those responsible must face the full weight of the law.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that four suspects remain in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest two other suspects still on the run.
Inmeantime, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), civil society organisations, and concerned residents have continued to call for the swift prosecution of everyone involved.
