Plateau Police Arrest UNIJOS Student for Allegedly Killing Best Friend

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a 200-level student of Agriculture at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), identified as Nanpon Timnan, for allegedly killing his close friend, Peter Mafuyai, a 300-level student of Banking and Finance at the same institution. 

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, October 25, at Timnan’s off-campus apartment in the Laranto area of Jos. 

According to eyewitnesses, both students were best friends who shared a strong passion for music. On the day of the incident, they reportedly played football together before heading to a studio for a recording session. 

A fellow student who spoke anonymously said the two returned home after their studio session when Timnan suddenly fetched a machete. 

“The others in the compound asked what he wanted to do with it, and he said it was for something,” the eyewitness recounted. 

“Moments later, he struck Peter with the machete. Everyone started screaming and asking why, but he didn’t respond. Some people ran to call for help, and by the time they returned, he had already buried the body behind the house in a shallow grave.” 

Following a distress call around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, officers from the Laranto Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, moved to the scene and arrested the suspect. 

A police source said the motive for the murder is still unclear but hinted that the two friends might have disagreed over their ongoing music project. The source added that the victim’s remains have been exhumed and deposited at Bingham University Teaching Hospital for autopsy, while investigations continue. 

When contacted, the university’s Acting Head of Information, Tongdyen Dachung, declined to comment, saying he would confirm details before giving an official statement. Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Jane Pwajok, said the union is closely following the case, noting that the matter is being handled by the police. 

As of press time, efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages were not returned.