Stray Bullet Fired by Immigration Officer Sparks Unrest in Lagos’ Badagry Community

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

The incident, which occurred on Friday, reportedly triggered outrage among residents, leading to the burning of an immigration checkpoint in protest. Eyewitnesses accused the officers of recklessly firing shots that endangered lives.

According to reports from CityMood Badagry, angry youths stormed the area, demanding justice for the victim. Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from the burning checkpoint as protesters shouted at armed officers.

In one of the clips, several immigration officers were surrounded by furious locals who prevented them from fleeing.
“You’ve shot the lady! Don’t leave!” a woman was heard yelling. Another resident added, “You can’t go! You know the harm you’ve caused, she’s hurt by your gunfire!”

Other footage showed the wounded woman, bleeding from the arm, being rushed away on a motorcycle for medical attention. Additional videos shared by CityMood and Badagry Talks Online TV captured her writhing in pain on a hospital bed.

Reacting to the incident, Hon. Sesi Whingan, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, condemned the shooting and urged residents to remain calm.

In a statement posted 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.”

Describing the event as “deeply troubling,” the lawmaker noted that residents of Badagry have long faced harassment from security officers stationed along the Badagry–Owode–Seme route. He criticized the “excessive concentration of checkpoints” and warned that such negligence puts innocent lives at risk.

Whingan also pledged to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure accountability and lasting reforms.

“We shall continue to follow up to ensure that these agencies operate with discipline, professionalism, and respect for human lives,” he said.

“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 this report, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, had not responded to calls or messages seeking comments on the incident.