The three suspects arrested over the alleged assault of truck drivers in Ibadan. Photo: Oyo Police
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Indian national and two security operatives over the alleged assault of two truck drivers at Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.
The police said the arrests followed a viral video showing the assault, which drew the attention of the command on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed detectives to identify and apprehend those involved in the incident.
The suspects were identified as Olowu Oluwadamilare and Sodeke Olamide, both security operatives attached to the company, and Harjit Singh, a 46-year-old Indian national associated with the company.
The statement said, “Preliminary findings indicate that the confrontation stemmed from a disagreement over the parking of a truck that had delivered goods to the company on Saturday.
” According to the truck owner, Akinpelu Sarafa, male, aged 47, the driver objected to a designated parking spot over concerns that it could damage the truck’s tyres. However, he was reportedly compelled to park there, and one of the tyres subsequently burst.
“The disagreement reportedly intensified when the driver requested a replacement tyre, but the company declined. In response, the driver allegedly used his truck to block the company’s entrance, triggering a physical confrontation involving the drivers, security operatives and an Indian national.”
The police identified the two victims as Ridwan Olajide, 34, and Taiwo Yinusa, 37. Both were admitted to a hospital in the Academy area of Ibadan for medical attention.
The command said the investigating police officer visited the victims at the hospital and obtained their statements as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It added that the case had been transferred to the Special Enquiry Bureau, Eleyele, Ibadan, for further investigation and necessary action.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the respective roles of those involved and determine the culpability of all parties.
The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the law applied equally to individuals and organisations, urging members of the public to remain calm while investigations continued.