Police in Plateau State have arrested three suspects over the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old man in Jos, warning against the growing trend of jungle justice.
JOS — The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old man in Jos, condemning the growing incidence of jungle justice and urging residents to allow the law to take its course.
The victim, Ibrahim Mbaya, a resident of Rayfield in Jos South Local Government Area, was allegedly beaten unconscious by a group of youths over the suspected theft of an iPhone 12.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo.
According to Alabo, the Lamingo Police Division received information from a Good Samaritan after the victim was rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) on Sunday.
Police officers immediately visited the hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that Mbaya was dead on arrival.
Following the incident, detectives launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji.
Police investigations revealed that Emmanuel Newyear was seen in a viral video allegedly striking the deceased with a large wooden plank during the assault.
Alabo said photographs obtained by investigators also placed the suspect at the scene of the incident.
“The suspects admitted attacking the deceased instead of reporting the alleged theft to law enforcement authorities,” Alabo said.
The three suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who fled after the incident.
According to the police, the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Plateau State Police Command strongly condemned the resort to jungle justice, stressing that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill a person merely suspected of committing an offence.
The command urged members of the public to promptly report suspected criminal activities to security agencies and allow lawful investigations and prosecution to take place through the judicial process.
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