Tension erupted in the Igbogbele community of Badagry West, Lagos State, after a woman was reportedly shot by a stray bullet fired by a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer, sparking violent protests and the burning of a checkpoint.
The victim, identified as Hunsu Elizabeth, was said to have been hit in the arm during the shooting, which occurred on Friday. Enraged residents accused Immigration officers of reckless behaviour and stormed their checkpoint, setting it ablaze.
Videos circulating on social media showed thick plumes of smoke and flames rising from the torched post, as angry youths confronted armed personnel, blocking their escape.
“You’ve shot the lady! Don’t go! You’re not supposed to shoot!” a woman was heard shouting in one of the viral clips. Another man yelled, “You can see what you’ve caused — the gunshot has wounded her!”
Eyewitness footage also captured moments when residents rushed to help the injured woman, who was later taken to a hospital for treatment.
Reacting to the incident, Hon. Sesi Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, condemned the shooting and called for restraint among residents.
“I received with deep concern the distressing incident that occurred today at Igbogbele, where an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service reportedly fired a shot that struck Hunsu Elizabeth while she was inside her home,” Whingan said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“We are grateful that her life was spared, and I pray for her swift and complete recovery. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her, her family, and everyone affected by the emotional shock this incident has caused.”
The lawmaker described the situation as “deeply troubling,” noting that residents of Badagry have long suffered harassment and intimidation from security personnel along the Badagry–Owode–Seme corridor.
Whingan criticised the “high concentration of checkpoints” in the area and incidents of security officers “pursuing civilians into communities and markets,” warning that such actions endanger innocent lives.
He pledged to engage the leadership of the Immigration and Customs services to demand accountability and reforms that prioritise human safety.
“We shall continue to follow up to ensure that these agencies operate with discipline, professionalism, and respect for human lives,” he said.
“I also appeal to our people to remain calm and law-abiding. Let us not take the law into our own hands or respond in ways that may escalate the situation.”
As of press time, efforts to reach Akinsola Akinlabi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, were unsuccessful.
