Tension erupted in the Igbogbele community of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, 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 incident, which occurred on Friday, triggered outrage among residents, leading to a violent protest in which angry youths set an immigration checkpoint ablaze.
According to eyewitness accounts shared on local community media platforms, the officers had reportedly fired shots during an operation in the area when one of the bullets hit the victim, who was said to be inside her home at the time.
Videos circulated online showed the checkpoint engulfed in flames as residents confronted the armed officers, accusing them of recklessness. In one clip, several officers attempted to flee in their patrol vehicle while residents blocked their path, demanding accountability.
“You have shot the lady! Don’t go! They have shot her in the arm — you’re not supposed to shoot!” a woman could be heard shouting in one of the videos. Another resident added, “You can see what you’ve caused; the gunshot has wounded her!”
Other footage captured chaotic scenes as neighbours rushed to assist the injured woman, helping her onto a motorcycle to seek urgent medical attention. Later clips showed her receiving treatment in a nearby hospital, visibly in pain but conscious.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Whingan, condemned the shooting and called for calm among residents.
In a statement posted on his official social media page, Whingan described the incident as “deeply distressing,” expressing sympathy to the victim and her family.
“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 said.
The lawmaker decried what he described as recurring cases of harassment and reckless conduct by security officers operating 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 is unacceptable and must not continue,” he stated.
Whingan urged security agencies to exercise restraint and professionalism, warning that excessive use of force undermines public trust and endangers citizens’ lives.
He added that his office would engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure accountability and push for reforms that prioritise public safety.
“I also appeal to our people to remain calm and law-abiding. We must not take the law into our own hands or allow anger to destroy the peace and unity that Badagry is known for,” he said.
As of press time, efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned.
The incident has reignited calls for restraint and reform among security personnel in Nigeria’s border communities, where cases of stray bullets, harassment, and reckless pursuit by enforcement agencies have become increasingly frequent.