Final Photos of Ibrahim Mbaya Surface After Friends Beat Him to Death Over iPhone 12 Theft Accusation

The final known photographs of 25-year-old model, Ibrahim Mbaya, have surfaced online as the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the arrest of three suspects over his brutal death after he was accused of stealing an iPhone 12.

The tragic incident, which has sparked outrage across social media, reportedly occurred in Jos, Plateau State, after Mbaya spent the night at a friend’s residence following a social gathering.

According to information gathered, Ibrahim attended a campus event on the night of July 25 but decided not to return to his apartment in Rayfield because it was already late. Instead, he reportedly accepted an invitation to sleep at a friend’s apartment located in the Ring Road area of Jos.

The following morning, the apartment owner reportedly discovered that his iPhone 12 was missing. Believing that only he and Ibrahim had slept in the room, the friend accused the young model of stealing the phone.

Sources said Ibrahim initially left the apartment after denying the allegation but later returned after receiving a phone call from the same friend, who reportedly asked him to come back and explain what had happened to the missing device.

On his return, the situation allegedly turned violent.

Eyewitnesses said Ibrahim was surrounded by his friend and several other young men, who repeatedly assaulted him with dangerous objects while demanding that he confess to stealing the phone.

The beating reportedly lasted for hours until he became unconscious.

He was later rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.

Police Arrest Three Suspects

Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police Command said it received a report from a Good Samaritan at about 11:20 p.m. on July 26 after the unconscious victim was brought to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.

Police identified the deceased as Ibrahim Mbaya, a 25-year-old resident of Rayfield, Jos.

His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Following investigations, detectives arrested three suspects identified as:

• Rinji Daniel Fwanji (25)
• Emmanuel Newyear (30)
• Nensemka Fwanji (22)

According to the police, investigations revealed that Emmanuel Newyear was captured in a viral video allegedly striking Ibrahim with a large wooden plank during the assault. Investigators also linked him to photographs obtained during the investigation.

The police said the suspects admitted that Ibrahim was accused of stealing an iPhone 12 and, instead of reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities, they took the law into their own hands and assaulted him until he became unconscious.

The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jos, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other persons believed to have participated in the attack.

Police Condemn Jungle Justice

The Plateau State Police Command condemned the incident, describing it as another tragic example of the dangers of jungle justice.

The command stressed that no individual has the legal authority to assault or kill a suspect, regardless of the allegation against them.

Police reminded the public that Nigeria’s criminal justice system provides lawful procedures for investigating and prosecuting criminal offences, urging citizens to always report suspected crimes to security agencies instead of resorting to mob action.

The command warned that all those found responsible for Ibrahim Mbaya’s death would face prosecution after investigations are concluded.

The incident has renewed nationwide calls against jungle justice, with many Nigerians demanding greater respect for the rule of law and due process.