The police command in Plateau has arrested three persons over the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old man in Jos.

The victim, Ibrahim Mbaya of Rayfield, Jos South, was assaulted by some irate youths on suspicion of stealing an iPhone 12.

The command disclosed this in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Alfred Alabo.

Mr 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 Mr Mbaya dead on arrival.

According to him, detectives launched an investigation and arrested Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji.

Mr Alabo said investigations showed that Mr Newyear appeared in a viral video assaulting Mr Mbaya with a large plank. He added that photographs obtained during the investigation also placed the suspect at the scene of the attack.

“The suspects admitted attacking the deceased instead of reporting the alleged theft to law enforcement authorities,” Mr Alabo said.

Mr Alabo said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Jos, and efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects, adding that they would be prosecuted 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.

(NAN)