3 Nigerians ‘assaulted’ in Hyderabad

After the assault and stripping of a Tanzanian woman in Bengaluru, three Nigerian nationals were allegedly assaulted here by a group of around 10 residents, who hurled “racist” comments at them.

However, the Hyderabad police dismissed it as a “minor brawl” between one Nigerian and a local. One of the trio, Orolabe Ibidola, said the incident had occurred in Hakimpet area on Thursday night when he was returning home from a religious place. He alleged that some men allegedly passed “racist” comments against him.

Ibidola, a degree student, claimed when he confronted them, the locals assaulted him. “After beating me up, the locals beat up two other Nigerian youths who were accompaning him,” he told the police. He said one of the attackers was carrying a knife.

However, Banjara Hills Police Station Inspector P Murali Krishna said there was a “minor brawl” between a Nigerian and a man, following arguments over an accident. “We have registered a case under IPC Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint) against the local youth following a complaint by the Nigerian youth,” he said.