Mob burns Immigration checkpoint after stray bullet hits woman in Lagos community
Tension has gripped the Igbogbele community in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State after a stray bullet allegedly fired by a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer struck a middle-aged woman identified as Hunsu Elizabeth.
The unrest reportedly escalated when irate youths in the area set ablaze an immigration checkpoint in protest of the incident.
According to reports, the tragic event occurred on Friday, sparking outrage among residents who accused the officers of reckless conduct.
A report by CityMood Badagry, a local media platform, indicated that the shooting triggered widespread anger in the community, as residents demanded justice for the victim.
Several videos posted on social media showed thick smoke and flames rising from the torched immigration post, while angry youths gathered at the scene shouting at armed officers.
In one of the clips, residents could be seen confronting at least seven immigration personnel, preventing them from leaving the area.
A woman’s voice was heard yelling, “You have shot the lady! Don’t go! They have shot her in the arm. You’re not supposed to shoot!” Another male voice added, “You can’t go! You can see what you’ve caused. The gunshot has wounded her!”
Other footage showed community members rushing to assist the wounded woman, reportedly hit in the arm, as she was carried onto a motorcycle for medical treatment.
Other videos posted by Badagry Talks Online TV and CityMood Badagry captured the victim grimacing in pain on a hospital bed.
Reacting to the development, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Whingan, condemned the shooting and urged residents to remain calm.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, Whingan said: “I received with deep concern the distressing incident that occurred today (Friday) at Igbogbele, where an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service reportedly fired a shot that struck Hunsu Elizabeth while she was inside her home.
“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 this was not the first time residents of Badagry had suffered harassment or harm at the hands of security operatives along the Badagry-Owode-Seme corridor.
He lamented the “high concentration of checkpoints” and “recurring incidents of officers pursuing civilians into communities and markets,” stressing that such recklessness endangered innocent lives.
Whingan also vowed to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure accountability and promote reforms that would prioritise public safety.
“We shall continue to follow up to ensure that these agencies operate with discipline, professionalism, and respect for human lives,” he stated.
“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 the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, had yet to respond to calls or messages seeking comment on the incident.
