The Plateau State Police Command has apprehended three suspects over the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old suspected thief in Jos, the state’s capital city.
The victim, Ibrahim Mbaya, and indigene of Rayfield, Jos South, was allegedly beaten unconscious by youths over the suspected theft of an iPhone 12.
While condemning the growing trend of jungle justice, the police command, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, disclosed the arrest of the three suspects involved in the mob action after Mbaya’s death.
Alabo said a Good Samaritan alerted the Lamingo Police Division after the victim was rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital on Sunday.
He said police operatives immediately visited the hospital, where doctors confirmed Mbaya was dead on arrival.
According to him, detectives launched an investigation and arrested Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji over the incident.
Alabo said investigations showed that Newyear appeared in a viral video allegedly assaulting the deceased with a large wooden plank.
He added that photographs obtained during the investigation also placed the suspect at the scene of the incident.
“The suspects admitted attacking the deceased instead of reporting the alleged theft to law enforcement authorities,” Alabo said.
He said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Jos, while efforts continued to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Alabo said the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.
He condemned jungle justice, stressing that no individual had the legal authority to assault or kill anyone suspected of committing an offence.
The police spokesman urged residents to report criminal activities to security agencies and allow the law to take its course.