The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded justice for Ibrahim Mbaye, a student of the University of Jos (UniJos), who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob over accusations of stealing an iPhone.
Condemning the incident, the association described the killing as a shocking act of jungle justice and called for the immediate prosecution of everyone involved, insisting that no allegation of theft should ever justify extrajudicial punishment.
In a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS said the undergraduate’s tragic death was a grave violation of human rights and a disturbing reminder of the dangers posed by mob justice.
According to the association, preliminary reports indicated that Mbaye was allegedly assaulted by a group of individuals, publicly humiliated, and locked in a room after being accused of stealing an iPhone. NANS noted that reports further suggested the allegedly stolen phone was never recovered from the deceased before his death.
Afeez stressed that allegations of criminal conduct must always be handled through established legal processes rather than violence, warning that resorting to jungle justice undermines the rule of law and exposes innocent people to the risk of being unlawfully killed.
“Nigeria is governed by laws, and no individual or group has the authority to investigate, prosecute and execute anyone based on mere suspicion,” he said.
The students’ body welcomed reports that security agencies had arrested some suspects in connection with the incident, describing the arrests as an important first step toward ensuring accountability.
It, however, urged the Plateau State Police Command and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial, and speedy investigation to identify and prosecute everyone involved in the attack.
NANS maintained that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, warning that failure to hold the perpetrators accountable could encourage further acts of mob violence within university communities and across the country.
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Afeez also stressed that institutions of higher learning should remain safe environments where students can pursue their education without fear of violence, intimidation, or unlawful attacks.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, his friends, and the University of Jos community, the NANS President described Mbaye’s death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s student population and prayed for strength and comfort for all those affected.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for the late student and called on all Nigerians to reject jungle justice by allowing law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal allegations through due process.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent problem of mob justice in Nigeria despite repeated campaigns by security agencies, civil society organisations, and human rights advocates urging citizens to hand criminal suspects over to the police instead of resorting to violence.