Police Arrest Indian National, Harjit Singh, Two Security Guards For Assaulting Truck Drivers

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Indian national and two security operatives attached to Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited in connection with a viral video showing the alleged assault of two truck drivers at the company’s premises in Ibadan.

The arrested suspects were identified as Harjit Singh, a 46-year-old Indian national associated with the company, and two security operatives, Olowu Oluwadamilare and Sodeke Olamide.

The arrests followed the circulation of a video showing the alleged assault of the truck drivers at the company located at Kilometer 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the command became aware of the video at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, immediately directed detectives to identify and arrest everyone involved in the incident for investigation.

Preliminary police findings indicated that the confrontation originated from a disagreement over the parking of a truck that had delivered goods to the company on Saturday.

The truck owner, identified as Akinpelu Sarafa, 47, reportedly explained that the driver objected to parking at a designated spot because he feared the position could damage the truck’s tyres.

However, the driver was allegedly compelled to park at the location, after which one of the truck’s tyres reportedly burst.

The disagreement reportedly escalated when the driver requested that the company replace the damaged tyre, but the request was declined.

Following the disagreement, the driver reportedly used his truck to block the company’s entrance, triggering a physical confrontation involving the truck drivers, security operatives and an Indian national associated with the company.

The two drivers identified as victims are Ridwan Olajide, 34, and Taiwo Yinusa, 37.

Both victims were subsequently admitted to a hospital in the Academy area of Ibadan for medical attention.

The police said the investigating officer visited the victims at the hospital and obtained their statements as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following preliminary investigations, the police arrested the two security operatives and Singh, the Indian national, over their alleged involvement in the confrontation.

The command, however, stated that investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and determine the culpability of all parties involved.

The case has since been transferred to the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB), Eleyele, Ibadan, for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with the law.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Oyo State Police Command said it remained committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that the law applies equally to individuals and organisations, regardless of their status or nationality.

The command also urged members of 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.