Operatives of the South-West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, and personnel of the Ogun State Police Command carried out a clearance operation on Thursday at the Interchange Bridge following the public outcry of hoodlum attacks.

This is just as the Ogun State Government vowed to continue its clampdown on hoodlums terrorising the area.

The clearance came on the heels of a viral post circulated on Wednesday that chronicled a series of attacks under the bridge by some hoodlums.

According to the post, a pastor was attacked under the bridge while returning from a church programme on March 22 and was brutally cut, leading to serious injuries.

The pastor was said to have been taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to complications from the injuries.

The post read, “I am typing this with a heavy heart, but I think it is necessary so that my brothers and sisters, families and friends can be aware of what is going on around us. We need to know that the Sagamu Interchange has turned into the most dangerous zone among other zones around Ogun State.

“A pastor who happened to be my wife’s uncle went for a vigil on March 21, 2025, at Mowe. On Saturday, March 22, he was coming back from Mowe, heading to Wasinmi where he was living and had his prayer ground called Ori-Oke Asegun.

“A vehicle going to Ibadan dropped him around 6 a.m. under the bridge at the Sagamu Interchange where he wanted to board another vehicle going to Abeokuta, and he was attacked by bad guys. Lo and behold, he was brutally cut with cutlasses and other weapons. He didn’t get help until around 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. He was later taken to a nearby hospital, but he later died.”

The post also chronicled that about four persons were reported dead from various attacks under the bridge.

Reacting to the post, the Ogun State Police command on Wednesday deployed personnel to the area to monitor activities and conducted a raid on hideouts within the vicinity.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, had noted in a statement that a two-hour assessment was carried out in the area, leading to the discovery of a criminal hideout in a nearby bush and the arrest of three suspects.

She stated, “The Ogun State Police Command has intensified security measures at the four intersections of the Sagamu Interchange to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.

“This follows recent concerns over security in the area, including reports circulating on social media about an incident on March 21, 2025. While no such incident was formally reported at any police station, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has proactively led efforts to reinforce security at the Sagamu Interchange.

“A two-hour assessment of the area conducted by the Commissioner of Police revealed illegal trading activities and the presence of touts. Earlier in the day, a criminal hideout was discovered in the surrounding bush at the interchange, and three suspects were arrested.”

She noted that personnel from the Quick Response Squad, OP Mesa, and Mobile Police Squadrons were strategically positioned at key locations within the bridge area.

Odutola added that members of the transport unions were also engaged in redirecting traffic to a safe area.

The PPRO continued, “As part of these measures, personnel from the Quick Response Squad, OP Mesa, and Mobile Police Squadrons 71 have been strategically stationed at key locations, including under the bridge, at the roundabouts, and along the inward and outward routes of the four intersections.

“Thereafter, an immediate disbandment of illegal trading activities under the interchange bridge was carried out.

“To further enhance security at the interchange, the Commissioner of Police has engaged members of the transport union to redirect traffic towards well-lit and secure areas.”

Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, disclosed that the monitoring ordered by the governor would continue for a longer period.

He said Amotekun Corps was deployed to the area for clearance operation.

Akinmade disclosed that those who were arrested by the police on Wednesday during a raid of the hideouts located in the area would be prosecuted if they were found guilty.

He said, “We have deployed Amotekun to the area to assist the police in the clearance operation that is being carried out in the area. The bushes in all the surrounding areas have been cleared so that there will be no hideout for any hoodlums.

“As you may have heard, some suspects were arrested yesterday. Once they are screened and found guilty, they will be prosecuted.”

He noted that the clampdown on the hoodlums would also be intensified to keep the place safe.

“We will not relent in monitoring the area. It will be a continuous monitoring, and anyone that is seen harassing or terrorising anybody in the area will face prosecution,” Akinmade concluded.