Monday, November 10, 2025 - Protests erupted in the Igbogbele community, Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, after a stray bullet allegedly fired by an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service hit a middle-aged woman identified as Hunsu Elizabeth.
According to the punch, the incident which occurred on
Friday, November 7, 2025, sparked outrage among residents who accused the
officers of recklessness.
Eyewitnesses said trouble began when a team of immigration
officers, who arrived in two Toyota Hilux vans, stationed themselves near a
local bridge in the area.
Their presence drew the attention of some residents, one of
whom approached the officers, questioning their mission and insisting that the
local council chairman be informed before any operation was carried out.
The exchange was said to have angered the officers. One of
them allegedly recognised the resident as an 'honourable' with whom they had a
prior disagreement.
Things escalated when the team leader ordered the man's
arrest, prompting him to flee in fear.
The officers pursued him, with one reportedly brandishing a
cane. Moments later, a gunshot rang out. The bullet missed its intended target
and pierced through the wall of a nearby house, striking a woman lying in her
room.
“The woman was just resting in her room when the bullet hit
her,” a community source told newsmen.
The victim, who sustained an injury to her arm, was rushed
to a nearby facility for immediate medical treatment.
The victim was later taken to the Badagry General Hospital, where doctors on duty confirmed that the gunshot had shattered the bone in her arm.
Videos sighted on Facebook captured chaotic scenes as
residents rushed to help the injured woman while others confronted the
officers, trying to stop them from fleeing.
A woman’s voice 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!
Another male resident added, “You can’t go. You can see what
you’ve caused. The gunshot has wounded her!”
Angry youths in the area later set the immigration
checkpoint in the community ablaze.
One of the videos showed thick flames engulfing the
immigration checkpoint.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Badagry
Federal Constituency, Sesi Whingan, condemned the shooting and called for
restraint among residents
“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,” Winggan said in a statement posted on his official
Facebook page.
“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.”
He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” noting
that it was not the first time residents of Badagry had faced such danger and
harassment from security personnel along the Badagry–Owode–Seme corridor.
“The high concentration of checkpoints, coupled with
recurrent cases of officers chasing civilians into busy communities and
marketplaces, has continued to put innocent lives at risk. This situation is
unacceptable and must not continue."
Whingan condemned any form of reckless conduct or excessive
force by security agencies, stressing that such actions “undermine public trust
and endanger the very citizens they are meant to safeguard.”
He added that his office would engage the leadership of the
Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service to ensure
accountability and reforms that prioritise public safety.
"We shall continue to follow up to ensure that these
agencies operate with discipline, professionalism, and respect for human lives.
"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.
“Badagry has always been a peaceful, resilient, and united
community. We will not allow the unacceptable actions of a few individuals to
define our collective identity or disturb our peace.”
0 Comments