Criminals hijack 21 buses in Madureira and block roads in a police operation in Rio de Janeiro: a city at war

Madureira, in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone, faced a tense day on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, when criminals hijacked 21 buses, including BRT vehicles, and used them as barricades on Avenida Ministro Edgard Romero, the neighborhood’s main road. The action was a response to an operation by the Special Operations Command (COE) of the Military Police in Morro da Serrinha, launched on Monday to suppress drug trafficking. Intense clashes, with gunfire and stones thrown at police vehicles, marked the day, resulting in one suspect’s death and the suspension of essential services like the BRT and municipal schools. Traffic was halted for nearly two hours, and local commerce was heavily impacted. The operation exposed the fragility of public safety in areas dominated by criminal factions, while residents faced fear and disruption.

The violence began in the early hours, with gunfire heard by locals. By morning, criminals escalated their actions, using burning trash bins and buses to block strategic roads. Avenida Edgard Romero, near the Madureira Market, was closed in both directions, disrupting mobility for thousands. The Military Police reported that the operation aimed to dismantle the leadership of the Third Pure Command (TCP), the faction controlling Serrinha.

• Key immediate impacts:
  • BRT suspension on the Transcarioca corridor for about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
  • Full closure of Avenida Edgard Romero, with detours for 15 bus lines.
  • Closure of four municipal schools and disruptions at two health units.
  • Local commerce, including the Madureira Market, shuttered for safety.
  • Seizure of two rifles and ammunition during the operation.

The situation created widespread insecurity, with videos showing masked men intercepting buses and ordering drivers to abandon them. Rio Ônibus reported that the buses’ keys were stolen, requiring tow trucks to clear the roads.

Police operation and armed clashes

The operation in Morro da Serrinha, led by the COE, involved the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE), Shock Battalion, K9 Unit, and Tactical Motorcycle Battalion. Launched on Monday, it intensified on Tuesday after intelligence reports indicated the presence of drug trafficking leaders, such as Wallace Brito Trindade, known as Lacoste. During the clashes, a suspect was shot in a wooded area and taken to Carlos Chagas State Hospital but did not survive. A rifle and ammunition were seized from him.

Police faced armed resistance, with criminals using the community’s vegetation for cover and attacks. A concrete structure with openings, known as a “sniper post,” was found, used to position weapons against security forces. Additionally, two “kill houses,” hideouts used in territorial disputes, were demolished at the top of Serrinha.

Lieutenant Colonel Cláudia Moraes, PM spokesperson, described the use of buses as barricades as a “cowardly” tactic to hinder police progress. She noted that criminals mobilize residents and associates to create obstacles, complicating efforts to combat organized crime.

Impacts on public transportation

The hijacking of 21 buses, including 15 municipal and 6 intermunicipal, marked one of the largest such incidents in 2025. According to Rio Ônibus, 83 buses have been hijacked by criminals this year, up from 95 cases in 2024. The vehicles’ keys were stolen, requiring mechanics to remove them from the roads. The BRT, critical for North Zone mobility, had its Transcarioca corridor interrupted between the Manaceia and Vicente de Carvalho stations.

• Hijacked municipal bus lines:
  • 778 (Cascadura x Pavuna)
  • 940 (Ramos x Madureira)
  • 775 (Madureira x Jardim América)
  • 298 (Acari x Castelo)
  • 355 (Madureira x Praça Tiradentes)
• Affected BRT lines:
  • 42 (Madureira x Galeão)
  • 46 (Penha x Alvorada)
  • 31 (Alvorada x Vicente de Carvalho)
  • 43 (Santa Efigênia x Paulo da Portela)

Mobi-Rio reported that BRT service resumed at 1:20 p.m., but new blockades in the late afternoon halted it again until 7:20 p.m. Detours on 15 bus lines affected thousands of workers and students, complicating their commutes.

Community and commerce fallout

The violence disrupted Madureira’s daily life, one of the North Zone’s busiest neighborhoods. The Madureira Market, known for its vibrant commerce, saw stores close for safety, deterring customers and causing losses. Residents reported moments of panic, with people seeking shelter in shops and BRT stations during the shootouts.

Four municipal schools canceled classes, and two health units faced disruptions. One stopped external activities, while the other operated internally with restrictions. The Municipal Education Department stated classes would resume as the situation stabilized.

Residents staged a protest on Avenida Edgard Romero, demanding peace and security. Social media footage showed protesters occupying BRT lanes, while others threw stones at police vehicles, which responded with tear gas.

History of violence in the area

Serrinha, strategically located in Madureira, is a frequent site of clashes due to disputes between the Third Pure Command (TCP) and the Red Command (CV). Data from the Fogo Cruzado Institute shows that in 2024, the Avenida Brasil region recorded 61 shootouts, many linked to faction conflicts. Over the past eight years, more than 1,500 armed clashes were documented in nearby neighborhoods like Irajá and Vaz Lobo.

The use of buses as barricades is a recurring tactic. In April 2025, seven buses were hijacked in Complexo do Chapadão, and in September, three were used in Complexo da Pedreira. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of public transportation in conflict zones, with Rio Ônibus calling for urgent measures to protect services.

• Recent barricade incidents:
  • April 2025: Seven buses hijacked in Complexo do Chapadão.
  • September 2025: Three buses used in Complexo da Pedreira.
  • October 2024: Clash in Serrinha with Avenida Edgard Romero blocked.
  • 2024: 95 buses hijacked across Rio de Janeiro.
  • 2025: 83 buses hijacked by July.

Authorities’ response

The Military Police stated that the Serrinha operation is part of a strategy to curb the territorial expansion of drug trafficking. Colonel Menezes, PM secretary, noted that the community serves as a base for attempts to control areas like Juramento and Campinho. In addition to rifles, ten homemade grenades and a quantity of drugs were seized, with support from sniffer dogs.

The Rio Operations Center advised drivers to avoid Avenida Edgard Romero, suggesting alternate routes like Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. and Estrada do Portela. The PM reinforced policing in the area, but the lack of additional arrests raised questions about the operation’s immediate effectiveness.

Rio Ônibus emphasized the need for coordinated actions to ensure public transport safety. The organization stressed that bus hijackings threaten citizens’ right to mobility, demanding firm responses from authorities.

Disrupted routines and calls for safety

The chaotic day in Madureira underscored the challenges faced by residents in violence-prone areas. Reports of passengers lying on bus floors to avoid gunfire and merchants closing shops out of fear reflect the operation’s impact on daily life. The BRT suspension and road closures turned commutes into logistical challenges.

Serrinha residents, who have endured frequent shootouts for at least 15 years, expressed frustration with the situation. The late-afternoon protest, with calls for peace, highlighted the community’s exhaustion with recurring violence. While necessary to combat trafficking, the operation brought immediate disruptions, reigniting debates about public safety strategies in faction-dominated areas.

• Measures to minimize disruptions:
  • Detours via Estrada do Portela and Avenida dos Italianos.
  • Reinforced policing around Avenida Edgard Romero.
  • Gradual BRT resumption from 7:20 p.m.
  • Rio Operations Center updates on alternate routes.

The Serrinha operation exposed the complexity of tackling organized crime in dense urban areas. While the PM aims to weaken factions, the population bears the consequences of clashes that disrupt essential services and daily safety. The repeated use of buses as barricades underscores the need for integrated approaches, combining law enforcement with prevention and social development policies.