Lagos Community in Uproar After Immigration Officer’s Stray Bullet Injures Woman

Tension erupted in Igbogbele, Badagry West, Lagos, 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, sparked outrage among residents, with irate youths reportedly setting ablaze a nearby immigration checkpoint in protest. Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from the torched post and community members confronting immigration officers at the scene.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as residents prevented officers from leaving, shouting at them over the shooting. The victim, reportedly hit in the arm, was rushed to a hospital and seen grimacing in pain in footage shared online.

Hon. Sesi Whingan, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, condemned the shooting, calling it “deeply troubling” and urged residents to remain calm. He highlighted the dangers posed by the high concentration of checkpoints along the Badagry-Owode-Seme corridor, noting past incidents of civilians being harassed by security personnel.

Whingan vowed to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service to ensure accountability and reforms that prioritize public safety. He appealed to the community not to escalate the situation and to allow due process to take its course.

As of the report, the NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, had not commented on the incident.