The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two security operatives and an Indian national over the alleged assault of two truck drivers at Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday evening, following the circulation of a viral video showing the drivers being assaulted at the company’s gate.
He identified the suspects as Olowu Oluwadamilare and Sodeke Olamide, both security operatives, and Harjit Singh, a 46-year-old Indian national associated with the company.
According to Olayinka, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed detectives to identify and arrest those involved after the video was brought to his attention on Tuesday morning.
The victims, identified as Ridwan Olajide and Taiwo Yinusa, are receiving treatment at a hospital in the Academy area of Ibadan.
Olayinka said preliminary investigations indicated that the incident arose from a disagreement over where a truck that delivered goods to the company on Saturday should park.
According to the account provided to investigators by the truck owner, Akinpelu Sarafa, the driver objected to the designated parking spot because he feared it could damage the vehicle’s tyres. He was allegedly compelled to park there, after which one of the tyres burst.
The disagreement reportedly escalated when the driver requested a replacement tyre and the company declined.
Police said the driver then allegedly used his truck to block the company’s entrance, leading to a physical confrontation involving the drivers, security operatives and the Indian national.
Olayinka said the investigating police officer had visited the victims in hospital to obtain their statements, while detectives were working to establish the roles of the suspects and other parties involved.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish their respective roles in the incident and determine the culpability of all parties involved,” he said.
The case has been transferred to the Special Enquiry Bureau at Eleyele, Ibadan, for further investigation.
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course. He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that any individual or organisation found culpable would face the law.
