•UNIJOS main gate
The family of Ibrahim Mbaya, a University of Jos graduate allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Jos, Plateau State, says he will be buried today.
A family source and younger brother of the deceased, James Mbaya, told newsmen that preparations were underway to lay the 25-year-old to rest in his hometown in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State, reports Daily Trust.
“We are making arrangements for his corpse to be brought home. He will be buried on Thursday,” James said.
He described his brother’s death as a devastating blow to the family, saying their parents may never recover from the shock.
“His death has really devastated us, especially our parents. I don’t think they are ever going to recover from the shock of his death because he was the first child and the first male child of the family. We had great expectations for him.
“He had a lot of dreams that were unachieved. We are really disheartened about his death, but there is nothing we can do about it now. We just have to take it in good faith and hope that justice is done,” he added.
James remembered his brother as a talented model, dancer, and entrepreneur whose dreams of building a fashion house and restaurant were cut short.
The family is now demanding justice, calling on police to ensure everyone involved faces the full weight of the law.
“Everyone involved in his death should get the punishment they deserved. Although this won’t bring him back, it is the best thing that can ever happen to the family after his tragic loss.
“The manner in which he died was very brutal and inhumane. Nobody should have gone through such inhumane treatment. I can never wish my enemy to be treated that way by those animals. Nobody should die such a brutal death. It is quite terrible and horrifying,” James said.
The incident reportedly happened on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road, Jos.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the killing, saying three suspects namely; Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear, and Nensemka Fwanji, have been arrested over the alleged culpable homicide.
Mbaya, a Jos-based model, had reportedly attended a social event and stayed overnight at a friend’s apartment because it was too late to head home. The next morning, his friend accused him of stealing a missing iPhone, claiming they were the only two in the apartment.
Mbaya reportedly left but returned after being called back to explain himself. On his return, police say he was confronted by his friend and a group of youths over the missing phone.
Witnesses allege the group beat him with sticks and other objects for several hours, trying to force a confession, until he lost consciousness. A nurse who examined him afterward confirmed he had died.
