Public outrage is mounting following the death of a student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Ibrahim Mbaye, who was allegedly beaten by fellow students over accusations of stealing an iPhone 16.
The incident, which reportedly occurred at an off-campus residence in Jos, Plateau State, has reignited concerns over the growing menace of jungle justice in Nigeria and the increasing resort to mob violence instead of due process.
According to reports, Mbaye was accused of stealing an iPhone belonging to another student after spending the night at a friend’s apartment. Rather than reporting the matter to security agencies, he was allegedly subjected to hours of brutal assault, humiliated and locked inside a room by a group of students.
The incident has since sparked widespread condemnation from students’ groups, rights advocates and Nigerians on social media with many describing the killing as senseless and avoidable.
Reacting to the incident, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) described the killing as heartbreaking, barbaric and completely unacceptable.
In a statement, NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said no allegation, regardless of its nature, should justify mob violence or extrajudicial punishment.
Afeez expressed sympathy to Mbaye’s family, friends and the University of Jos community, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers of jungle justice.
He welcomed reports that some suspects had been arrested but insisted that justice must go beyond initial arrests.
The NANS president urged the Plateau State Police Command to conduct a thorough, impartial and speedy investigation into the incident, warning that failure to hold all perpetrators accountable could encourage further acts of mob violence on campuses across the country.
He also reminded students that institutions of higher learning should remain centres of learning and peaceful coexistence rather than places where accusations are settled through violence.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command has reportedly arrested three suspects in connection with the killing.
Police authorities said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest others seen in videos circulating on social media over the attack.
The police appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist in the investigation.
