The tragic death of Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” has triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria, with students, civil society groups and members of the public demanding justice and renewed action against jungle justice.
Mbaya, a 25-year-old graduate of the University of Jos (UniJos) and an aspiring model, allegedly lost his life after being brutally assaulted over accusations of stealing an iPhone at an off-campus residence in Jos, Plateau State. According to reports, he had attended a social gathering before spending the night at a friend’s apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road. The following morning, he was accused of stealing a missing iPhone and allegedly became the target of a mob attack instead of being handed over to law enforcement authorities.
Friends and associates described Mbaya as a peaceful, hardworking young man who was building a career in the fashion industry. Known by the nickname “Ibee,” he identified himself as both a baker and a model and had recently been announced as one of the Top 30 finalists in the Mr & Miss Glam Nigeria pageant. His final Instagram post, shared just days before his death, carried the caption, “A little sunshine, a little silence, a lot of peace,” a message many have since described as heartbreaking in light of the tragedy.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that Mbaya was rushed unconscious to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Following investigations, police arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the assault, identifying them as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji. Investigators said preliminary findings indicate that the suspects assaulted Mbaya over allegations that he stole an iPhone instead of reporting the matter to the police. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the attack.
The incident has drawn condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), student leaders and human rights advocates, who described the killing as senseless and called for everyone involved to face the full weight of the law. The police have also reiterated that no individual has the right to punish a suspect outside the judicial process, warning that jungle justice remains a criminal offence regardless of the allegation against a victim.
As investigations continue, Mbaya’s death has become another painful reminder of the dangers of mob violence in Nigeria, with many urging citizens to allow security agencies and the courts to determine guilt or innocence rather than resorting to extrajudicial action
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