The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspects over the mob killing of a 25-year-old University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee.”
The crime, which occurred on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road, Jos, has sparked outrage across Plateau State, with family members, friends, students, and members of the entertainment industry demanding justice for the deceased.
Mbaya, a graduate of the University of Jos who was still processing an outstanding academic issue, had attended a social event on campus before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s residence in Ring Road because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield.
According to sources, the following morning, his companion notified him that an iPhone had been stolen and suggested that he was the top suspect because they were the only inhabitants of the room.
According to eyewitnesses, Mbaya originally left the flat but returned after receiving a phone call from a buddy, who notified him about the missing phone and asked him to come back to explain himself.
On his return, the young model was allegedly accosted by his friend and many other young guys in the compound, who accused him of taking the phone.
Witnesses said that the group swarmed on him, subjecting him to harsh torture and beating in an attempt to obtain a confession.
The assault apparently lasted many hours, during which the victim was pummeled with sticks and other things until he became unconscious.
A nurse was later summoned to examine him, but he died, according to reports.
According to sources, an attempt was made to transport him to the Accident and Emergency Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, before security personnel were notified.
Mbaya’s death has sent shockwaves through Plateau’s fashion and entertainment scene, where he was considered one of the state’s most promising models.
Friends and friends characterized him as serene, hardworking, and talented and said his death has deprived the state of a potentially great young talent.
Here are five things to know about him:
1) He was popularly known as ‘Ibee.’
While his full name was Ibrahim Pilasar Mbaya, friends and followers knew him simply as “Ibee,” a nickname reflected across his social media pages.
2) He was a baker and a model.
In a resurfaced interview, Mbaya described himself as a baker and a model, reflecting his passion for both entrepreneurship and the fashion industry.
3) He emerged as a top 30 pageant finalist.
A few days before his death, organizers of Mr & Miss Glam Nigeria unveiled Mbaya as one of the competition’s top 30 finalists.
The youth-focused pageant promotes fashion, culture, leadership, and professional development among young Nigerians. Two days before his death, the group released a video of Mbaya performing one of his runway assignments.
4) His last post on Instagram reflected a message of peace.
Mbaya’s last Instagram post, made on July 24, featured photographs of himself with the caption:
“A little sunshine, a little silence, a lot of peace.” The post was accompanied with hashtags relevant to Mr. and Miss Glam Nigeria.
5) He was planning to celebrate another birthday.
Mbaya’s social media profiles show that he was born on September 18th.
