Suspect admits hitting UNIJOS student with plank over missing phone

Two suspects arrested in connection with the death of Ibrahim Mbaya, a 25-year-old model and University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, have reportedly narrated their alleged roles in the assault that led to his death after he was accused of stealing a mobile phone.

Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” was allegedly attacked around the Ring Road area of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, following the disappearance of an iPhone 12.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with students, civil society groups and other Nigerians condemning the alleged mob violence and calling for justice.

According to the Plateau State Police Command, Mbaya was rescued by some colleagues and rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.

However, the doctor on duty reportedly confirmed that he was dead on arrival. His remains were subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary as investigations continued.

The police said four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and were being investigated over their alleged involvement in the assault.

During a police parade, one of the suspects, Emmanuel Newyear, reportedly said the missing phone belonged to his cousin, Rinji Daniel.

Newyear said Daniel informed him that his phone had gone missing after Mbaya spent the night at his apartment following a social event.

According to Newyear, Mbaya was contacted and questioned about the missing device. He claimed that Mbaya gave different locations where the phone could allegedly be found.

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The suspect said they searched the locations mentioned but did not recover the phone.

Newyear said they later returned to the apartment, where several people had gathered.

He reportedly admitted that he first slapped Mbaya inside the room before taking him outside, where the alleged assault continued.

Newyear further admitted that he struck Mbaya with a wooden plank three times, claiming that he wanted to force the student to disclose the location of the missing phone.

“I was the one that hit him with a plank three times. I beat him because I wanted him to tell me where the phone was,” Newyear reportedly said.

Another suspect, Teslor Joshua, said he participated in restraining Mbaya while others tied him with ropes.

Joshua claimed that he held the student’s legs during the restraint but did not participate in the alleged physical assault that followed.

However, the accounts provided by the suspects are part of the ongoing police investigation and have not been tested or established in court.

Rinji Daniel, identified as the owner of the missing phone, reportedly said Mbaya spent the night in his apartment after they returned from an event.

Daniel said Mbaya later told him that he wanted to step outside to answer a phone call but did not return before he and his brother went to sleep.

According to Daniel, he woke up at about 4 a.m. and discovered that Mbaya was no longer in the room.

He also claimed that his phone and his brother’s power bank, which had been connected to chargers, were missing.

Daniel said he searched the apartment and surrounding area but could not find either Mbaya or the missing items.

He added that several attempts to contact Mbaya were initially unsuccessful. Daniel claimed that Mbaya later answered a call made through another person’s phone but ended the call.

Daniel said he subsequently informed his cousin about the missing phone, a development that reportedly led to the confrontation and alleged assault.

The police said the investigation would determine the role played by each suspect and establish whether other persons participated in the incident.

Reports indicated that the missing phone was not recovered from Mbaya. The circumstances surrounding the allegation and the whereabouts of the device remain part of the ongoing investigation.

The incident has renewed concerns about jungle justice, torture and the use of violence against people accused of criminal offences.

Legal and rights advocates have repeatedly stressed that allegations of theft or other crimes should be reported to the police and handled through lawful investigation and the judicial process.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned Mbaya’s death and called for a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation.

The student body said no allegation of theft could justify torture, mob violence or extrajudicial punishment.

The Plateau State Police Command also condemned the incident and warned that no individual has the legal authority to punish another person based only on suspicion or an unverified allegation.

Police said all persons found to have participated in the alleged assault would be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Mbaya’s death has generated grief within the University of Jos community and among members of the fashion and modelling industry.

As the investigation continues, the police are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, identify any additional suspects and determine whether charges will be filed.

Suspect admits hitting UNIJOS student with plank over missing phone

Nigerian Army named Africa’s best national force in counter-terrorism operations

The Nigerian Army has been recognised as Africa’s Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch, following its sustained efforts against terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism across Nigeria.

The continental security organisation said the recognition was based on the Nigerian Army’s achievements in counter-terrorism operations, including intelligence-driven campaigns, coordinated military operations, civil-military cooperation, force development and capacity-building initiatives.

The award was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The recognition had earlier been received on behalf of the Nigerian Army by Major General Teriworie Gagariga during the African Security Watch Awards Ceremony held in Banjul, The Gambia.

Receiving the award, Shaibu described the honour as a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of Nigerian Army personnel deployed across different operational theatres.

He said the recognition reflected the effectiveness of the Army’s evolving strategies in combating terrorism and insurgency while strengthening national and regional security.

“This recognition is a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of Nigerian Army personnel engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country,” the Chief of Army Staff said.

Shaibu dedicated the award to officers and soldiers who lost their lives while defending Nigeria, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would continue to be remembered.

He also commended the families of fallen personnel and serving troops for their support and resilience despite the risks and demands associated with military service.

The Army chief said the recognition would encourage the Nigerian Army to sustain its operations against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), armed bandit groups, kidnappers and other criminal networks.

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He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to improving operational effectiveness through intelligence-led operations, stronger collaboration with other security agencies, continuous training, improved personnel welfare and the acquisition of modern military equipment.

Shaibu added that the Nigerian Army would continue its transformation into a more professional, adaptive and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to African Security Watch, the Nigerian Army distinguished itself through coordinated joint operations, intelligence-based campaigns and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation between military personnel and local communities.

The organisation said the Army’s operations had contributed to weakening terrorist networks, improving security in affected communities and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional counter-terrorism efforts.

The recognition comes as the Federal Government moves to expand the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army in response to persistent security challenges across the country.

President Bola Tinubu recently approved an increase in the Army’s operational structure from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

The expansion is expected to improve troop deployment, strengthen military presence across the country and enhance the ability of the Armed Forces to respond more quickly to security threats.

Under the restructuring plan, the new divisions are expected to bring military formations closer to areas that currently depend on neighbouring commands for operational support.

The first phase of the expansion, involving the establishment of the 5 Division, 9 Division and 10 Division, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further restructuring, is projected for completion by December 2026.

The recruitment of additional personnel is also expected to strengthen ongoing military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities.

The recognition is expected to boost the morale of Nigerian troops serving in different parts of the country and reinforce the Army’s commitment to protecting communities and supporting national security.

Despite the continental recognition, the Nigerian Army continues to face complex security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in parts of the North-West, communal violence in the North-Central and other emerging threats.

Military authorities have maintained that sustained intelligence gathering, modern equipment, improved troop welfare, stronger inter-agency cooperation and community support remain important to achieving lasting peace and security.

Nigerian Army named Africa’s best national force in counter-terrorism operations

Leaked DSS memo warns of planned Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings in Adamawa, Borno

A leaked intelligence memo reportedly issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) has raised fresh concerns over an alleged plan by Boko Haram terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks and kidnappings in parts of Adamawa and Borno states.

The intelligence communication, dated July 27, 2026, was reportedly addressed to the Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Yola, Adamawa State.

The document, referenced 0.211/3827, was signed on behalf of the Adamawa State Director of Security by Ben Osifor.

According to the leaked memo, intelligence available to the DSS indicated that suspected Boko Haram operatives were planning major operations in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The document reportedly linked the planned operations to the alleged collapse of a ceasefire arrangement between the insurgents and the governments of the affected states.

The memo stated that the suspected terrorists intended to carry out attacks to demonstrate the breakdown of the reported ceasefire and renew pressure on communities in the North-East.

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The intelligence report further warned that the suspected insurgents were allegedly planning to abduct government officials, councillors, traditional leaders, religious leaders and residents during the proposed attacks.

The District Head of Michika and his son were also reportedly identified as possible targets in the alleged kidnapping plot.

According to the memo, suspected Boko Haram members had already deployed surveillance teams to monitor potential targets and gather information ahead of the planned operations.

The DSS reportedly advised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and improve security around vulnerable communities in the affected local government areas.

The agency also recommended closer collaboration between military personnel and local security groups, including forest guards, hunters and community-based security volunteers, to improve intelligence gathering and prevent the alleged attacks.

The intelligence alert was reportedly forwarded to the Nigerian Army for necessary action as security agencies stepped up efforts to monitor possible threats in the affected areas.

The development comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of the North-East, where Boko Haram and other armed groups have continued to pose threats to communities, public facilities and transportation routes.

Security agencies have relied increasingly on intelligence-led operations, surveillance and cooperation with local security networks to identify threats and prevent attacks before they are carried out.

The reported DSS warning has heightened concerns among residents of Michika and Askira/Uba, particularly because the alleged targets include community leaders, public officials, religious figures and other residents.

However, the leaked memo did not indicate that the alleged attacks had already taken place.

Security intelligence alerts are generally issued to enable relevant agencies to assess threats, increase security presence and take preventive action.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no public statement from the DSS, the Nigerian Army, or the governments of Adamawa and Borno states confirming whether additional security measures had been deployed in response to the reported intelligence.

Residents in the affected communities are expected to remain alert and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies while avoiding the spread of unverified information that could cause panic or interfere with security operations.

The situation remains under close watch as authorities continue to assess the reported threat and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

Leaked DSS memo warns of planned Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings in Adamawa, Borno