By Ogbeni Olawale Dawodu
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Indian national, Harjit Singh, and two security operatives of Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited over the alleged assault of two truck drivers at the company’s premises in Ibadan.
The other suspects are Olowu Oluwadamilare and Sodeke Olamide. Singh, 46, is said to be associated with the company.
The arrests followed a viral video of the incident at the company’s premises at Kilometer 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the police became aware of the video at about 8:30 a.m. that day.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed detectives to identify and arrest all those involved in the incident for investigation,” Olayinka said.
Preliminary findings indicated that the confrontation began as a disagreement over where to park a truck that had delivered goods to the company on Saturday.
The truck owner, Akinpelu Sarafa, 47, reportedly told police that the driver objected to the designated parking spot because he feared it could damage the truck’s tyres.
The driver was allegedly forced to park there anyway, and one of the tyres later burst.
The dispute reportedly worsened when the driver asked the company to replace the tyre and was refused. He then allegedly used his truck to block the company’s entrance, which led to a physical confrontation involving the truck drivers, the security operatives and the Indian national.
The victims, Ridwan Olajide, 34, and Taiwo Yinusa, 37, were admitted to a hospital in the Academy area of Ibadan.
“The investigating officer visited the victims in the hospital and obtained their statements to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement said.
Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and the culpability of all parties involved. The case has been transferred to the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB), Eleyele, Ibadan, for further investigation.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property. “The law applies equally to individuals and organisations, regardless of their status or nationality,” the statement added.
It urged the public to remain calm and allow investigators to conclude their work, warning that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
