Tension has gripped the Igbogbele community in Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State after a stray bullet allegedly fired by an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) struck a middle-aged woman, Hunsu Elizabeth, sparking violent protests and the burning of an immigration checkpoint.

The incident, which occurred last Friday, triggered outrage among residents, who accused security operatives of reckless use of firearms. Videos shared online showed thick flames engulfing the checkpoint, with angry voices in the background condemning the officers’ actions.

In one of the clips, a woman could be heard shouting, “You have shot the lady! Don’t go! They have shot her in the arm. You’re not supposed to shoot!” while a man yelled, “You can’t go. You can see what you’ve caused. The gunshot has wounded her!”

The footage also showed residents rushing to assist the bleeding victim, who was later taken to a nearby hospital on a motorcycle. Another video captured her wincing in pain on a hospital bed, further inflaming community anger.

The member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Whingan, condemned the shooting and described it as “deeply distressing.”

“I received with deep concern the incident at Igbogbele where an Immigration officer reportedly fired a shot that struck Hunsu Elizabeth while she was inside her home,” Whingan wrote on Facebook.
“We are grateful that her life was spared, and I pray for her swift recovery. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her and her family.”

Whingan decried what he called a “pattern of reckless behavior” among security agencies, adding that the increasing number of checkpoints and the pursuit of civilians into crowded areas “continue to put innocent lives at risk.”

“This situation is unacceptable and must not continue,” he said. “Reckless conduct or excessive force by security agencies undermines public trust and endangers the very citizens they are meant to protect.”

He assured that his office would engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service to ensure accountability and implement reforms that prioritize human life and community safety.

“We shall continue to follow up to ensure that these agencies operate with discipline, professionalism, and respect for human lives,” he said, urging residents to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands.

“Badagry has always been a peaceful, resilient, and united community. We must not allow the unacceptable actions of a few individuals to define our collective identity or disrupt our peace.”