(We have deployed men to hot spot, police assure)

There are concerns over hoodlums’ attacks and killings of commuters travelling to Abeokuta and Sagamu from the Sagamu Interchange Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The Guardian gathered that these hoodlums have taken over the area, waylaying unsuspected commuters trying to climb the bridge to board a bus to either Abeokuta or Sagamu.

They usually terrorise passersby with machetes, demanding the submission of personal belongings.

The situation has persisted even with traders under the bridge and environs.

The concerns arose from a message circulating in social media regarding an attack on a pastor returning from a vigil from Mowe on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Already, a man last week succumbed to death following a machete cut dealt on him by the hoodlums in a bid to collect his valuables.

In the message, an unidentified man stated that he was typing the message with a heavy heart but felt it was necessary so that his brothers and sisters, families and friends could be aware of what was going on around them.

He wrote: “We really need to know that Sagamu Interchange has turned into the most dangerous zone in Ogun State.

“A pastor who happened to be my wife’s pastor 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 having his prayer ground called Ori-Oke Asegun.

“A vehicle going to Ibadan dropped him at about 6.00 a.m. under the bridge at Sagamu interchange where he wanted to board another vehicle going to Abeokuta.

“He was attacked by hoodlums. Lo and behold, he was brutally cut with cutlasses and other weapons.

“He didn’t get help until about 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. He was later taken to a nearby hospital but later died.

“Surprisingly, there was a report from the hospital that his case was number four, coming from the same location on that very day, without knowing how many had been taken to other hospitals for treatment.

“My wife and I attended his burial yesterday at Wasinmi, Ogun, State. It was a sorrowful event,” he said.

He stressed the need for the Ogun State government to do something drastic to stop them from killing innocent people.

Until then, he advised everyone to avoid the Sagamu Interchange.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Police Command has responded to the security challenge in the area by suspending all trading activities and stationing police officers.

The traders have been given time to move their structures and wares with the warning that anyone found carrying out trade within the location will be arrested and prosecuted.

Spokesperson for the command, CSP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the development in a statement yesterday, said the command has also intensified security measures at the four intersections of the Sagamu Interchange to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.

According to Odutola, 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 interchange.

As part of these measures, personnel from the Quick Response Squad, OP Mesa, and Mobile Police Squadrons 71, she said, 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.

“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.

“Thereafter, an immediate disbandment of illegal trading activities under the interchanged bridge was carried out.” (The Guardian)