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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

PHOTOS: Who was Ibrahim Mbaya, five things to know about slain UniJos student

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A 25-year-old Nigerian student, Ibrahim Mbaya, died after allegedly being attacked by a mob over suspected iPhone theft.
  • Police have arrested three suspects, and investigations are ongoing to find others involved in the incident in Jos, Plateau State.
  • Mbaya was remembered as a model and baker who had recently become a finalist in a national pageant.

Nationwide outrage has erupted following the death of 25-year-old Ibrahim Mbaya, known as 'Ibee,' who allegedly died after a mob attack in Jos, Plateau State. Mbaya was accused of stealing an iPhone 12, a charge that led to a brutal assault, according to reports.

The Plateau State Police Command said Mbaya was brought unconscious to the Jos University Teaching Hospital on July 26 by some youths before he was confirmed dead on arrival.

— Plateau State Police CommandOfficial statement regarding the circumstances of Ibrahim Mbaya's death.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that Mbaya was brought to the Jos University Teaching Hospital unconscious by some youths on July 26 and was pronounced dead on arrival. The command announced on Monday that three suspects have been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend additional individuals linked to the incident. The National Association of Nigerian Students has condemned the killing, calling it "heartbreaking" and demanding a thorough investigation.

Beyond the tragic circumstances of his death, Mbaya was remembered by friends and followers as a young creative with aspirations in modeling and fashion. In a resurfaced interview, he described himself as both a baker and a model. Just days before his death, he was unveiled as one of the Top 30 finalists in the Mr & Miss Glam Nigeria pageant, an event that celebrates fashion, culture, leadership, and career development among young Nigerians.

heartbreaking

— National Association of Nigerian StudentsDescription of the killing of Ibrahim Mbaya.

His final Instagram post, shared on July 24, featured photos with a caption expressing a desire for "A little sunshine, a little silence, a lot of peace." The post included hashtags related to the pageant. Social media users have widely condemned the incident, decrying "jungle justice" and demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. Many questioned the severity of the alleged crime in relation to the fatal outcome, with one user on X asking, "Why all this killing for phone? Is the phone worth more than a life? Justice for Ibrahim."

Why all this killing for phone? Is the phone worth more than a life? Justice for Ibrahim.

— SozoTradesA social media user's reaction to the alleged mob killing over an iPhone.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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