The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspects in two separate operations involving the alleged assault of two truck drivers at a company along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and a criminal gang accused of snatching mobile phones and motorcycles across parts of the South-West.
The arrests followed investigations into a viral video showing the alleged assault of two drivers at Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Limited, as well as intelligence-led operations targeting suspected street robbers and motorcycle snatchers in Ibadan.
In the first case, police arrested two security operatives attached to the company and an Indian national in connection with the assault of the truck drivers at the company’s premises around Kilometer 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.
The police said their attention was drawn to the viral video at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, to direct detectives to identify and apprehend those involved.
Preliminary findings indicated that the confrontation began with a disagreement over where a truck that had delivered goods to the company should be parked on Saturday.
According to the truck owner, Akinpelu Sarafa, 47, the driver objected to the designated parking space because he feared it could damage the truck’s tyres. The driver was reportedly compelled to park there, after which one of the tyres burst.
The disagreement allegedly escalated when the driver requested a replacement tyre but the company declined. The driver subsequently used the truck to block the company’s entrance, leading to a physical confrontation involving the drivers, security operatives and an Indian national.
The two victims were identified as Ridwan Olajide, 34, and Taiwo Yinusa, 37. Both were 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.
The three suspects arrested were identified as Olowu Oluwadamilare and Sodeke Olamide, both security operatives attached to the company, and Harjit Singh, 46, an Indian national associated with the company.
The case has been transferred to the Special Enquiry Bureau, Eleyele, Ibadan, for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with the law.
In a separate operation, police arrested two men suspected of belonging to a criminal gang allegedly involved in the snatching of mobile phones and motorcycles from members of the public.
The suspects, Timilehin Idowu, 23, and Kudus Agoeo, 25, were apprehended after police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a residence in the Onirerin–Mokola area of Ibadan.
According to the Command, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects admitted to specialising in phone and motorcycle snatching. They reportedly disclosed that they operated as a three-man gang, using a motorcycle to carry out their activities in Ibadan and Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The suspects also allegedly provided information suggesting that the criminal network extended across Oyo, Osun and Lagos states, including details about individuals suspected of helping to dispose of stolen items.
Police said investigators were following available leads to verify the information, identify and arrest other suspected members of the network, and recover stolen property.
The two suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga, reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within and beyond Oyo State.
He urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime, assuring residents that the Command would continue working with stakeholders to protect lives and property.
The police also urged the public to remain calm and allow investigations into both cases to proceed, adding that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
