Police in Plateau State have arrested four people over the mob killing of Jos-based model and University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee”.
The police said six people were directly involved in the attack, while two suspects are still being pursued.
Speaking in Jos on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, said, “Through a Good Samaritan, the Plateau State Police Command received information that a young man had been taken to the hospital in a very critical condition.”
He said the victim later died from the injuries..
“Based on that information, we swung into action and arrested three suspects. During interrogation, they confessed to their various roles in the crime,” he said.
Alabo said another suspect was later arrested, bringing the total number of people in police custody to four.
“We have established that about six persons were directly involved in this incident, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects,” he said.
DSP Alabo identified one of the main suspects as Emmanuel Newyear, alleging that he was seen attacking the victim with a wooden plank. Another suspect, Joshua Tell, was also arrested during the investigation.
The police spokesman further said, “We have been working closely with the leadership of NANS to ensure that every person involved in this crime is identified and arrested.”
He added that NANS officials attended the parade of the suspects to demonstrate their condemnation of the killing.
“The command remains committed to ensuring justice for the deceased and warns against jungle justice. Criminal allegations should always be reported to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into one’s own hands,” he said.
The command also appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist investigators, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially.
The killing of Mbaya has sparked public outrage in Jos, with residents and civil society groups demanding justice and stronger action against mob violence in Plateau State.
Police arrest four over mob killing of Jos model Ibrahim Mbaya