Suspects Admit Beating UNIJOS Graduate to Death Over Missing iPhone

The main suspect in the mob killing of University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, known as Ibee, has confessed to hitting him three times with a wooden plank. Four suspects shared their roles during police questioning about the incident that has caused anger across the country.

The suspects spoke during an interrogation by the Police Public Relations Officer of Plateau State, SP Alfred Alobo. A video of the interrogation was shared by Manari TV on Tuesday.

Mbaya, who had graduated in Political Science and was waiting to join the National Youth Service Corps, reportedly died after being accused of stealing an iPhone 12.

Emmanuel Newyear, 30, was identified by the police as the main suspect seen in a viral video attacking Mbaya with a wooden plank. He admitted to striking Mbaya. "I was the one that hit him with the plank three times," he said.

Newyear said he slapped Mbaya before hitting him with the plank because he thought Mbaya was hiding information about the missing phone. He claimed Mbaya named three locations where the phone was supposed to be, but the searches found nothing.

"He first told me the phone was in Angwan. Later, he mentioned… another place. We searched everywhere but didn’t find the phone," he said.

Newyear said that after they returned from the search, he told others not to hurt Mbaya while he went to rest. "When I came back after about one or two hours, there was already a crowd. I saw they had barbed his hair, and it was as if he had been hanged," he explained.

Rinji Daniel Fwanji, 25, the owner of the missing phone, shared how Mbaya stayed at his house after they returned from an event on July 26. Daniel said he woke up around 4 a.m. to find both Mbaya and his iPhone 12 missing.

He told investigators that he could not reach Mbaya until he used another person's phone to call him, and then Mbaya agreed to come back. Daniel claimed Mbaya had taken items from him before and said he wanted to go through legal channels.

"I even told him I would involve a lawyer because I was tired of all these things," Daniel added.

When asked who first attacked Mbaya, Daniel said, "It was Emmanuel." He also confirmed that the missing phone had not been found.

Another suspect, Joshua Tell, admitted he knew those who tied Mbaya up. He said his part was to help hold Mbaya's legs while he was being tied. "I only participated in holding his legs when they were tying him. Yes, that was my role," he stated.

Nensemka Fwanji, Daniel’s brother, said he saw the beating and rushed Mbaya to the hospital when he realized how badly injured he was. "When I came back to the room, I saw he had been beaten mercilessly. I was the one that took him to the hospital," he said.

When asked if the phone had been found, he replied, "No, sir."

Meanwhile, Mbaya’s younger sister has called for justice for her brother. She insists that those who caused his death should face the law. "We want justice. Those who took the law into their hands should also face the consequences of the law. We want them to answer for what they did to my brother," she said.

She described Mbaya as peaceful and hardworking. She said she never knew him to be a thief. "This is somebody I grew up with. Throughout our lives together, I never heard anyone accuse him of stealing another person’s property."

"He respected everyone and never fought with people. He worked hard to make a better life for himself and was always there for the family whenever he was needed. Even those who killed him knew he was a good person. It is painful that such an innocent person lost his life in this manner," she added.

The Plateau State Police Command announced on Monday the arrest of Emmanuel Newyear, Rinji Daniel Fwanji, and Nensemka Fwanji over the incident. They later confirmed Joshua Tell as the fourth suspect in custody.

According to police, Mbaya was accused of stealing an iPhone 12 but was attacked instead of being turned over to the police. The suspects allegedly beat Mbaya until he was unconscious before taking him to Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The police said two other suspects linked to the incident are still at large. Efforts are ongoing to catch them. Those arrested will be charged in court after investigations wrap up.

The killing has drawn widespread condemnation. The National Association of Nigerian Students, civil society groups, students, and residents are all calling for justice for Mbaya and urging authorities to ensure all those involved are prosecuted.