Tension occurred in the Igbogbele community of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, after a stray gunshot purportedly fired by a Nigeria Immigration Service officer struck a middle-aged woman named Hunsu Elizabeth.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, and in anger, some youths in the area set the immigration checkpoint ablaze.
According to a post from CityMood Badagry, a social media site that spotlights local events, the incident prompted fury among neighbors, who accused the officers of carelessness.
One of the videos received by Chronicle NG on Monday showed dense flames consuming the immigration checkpoint as residents vented their frustrations.
While the specific cause of the incident is unknown, other videos show chaotic scenes as neighbors rushed to help the injured woman, who was claimed to have been shot in the arm, while others attempted to stop the officers from departing.
One of the videos shows at least seven armed immigration officers being challenged by furious citizens.
A woman shouted, “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!”
The mob grew louder as the officers attempted to board their patrol van and leave, demanding that they remain on the scene.
Badagry Talks Online TV provided more footage showing the victim being carried onto a motorcycle to seek medical assistance, while CityMood Badagry posted a video of her grimacing in pain on a hospital bed.
Sesi Whingan, a member of the Badagry Federal Constituency, denounced the gunshot and urged citizens to exercise caution.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook site, Whingan wrote, “I read with grave worry the terrible incident that occurred today (Friday) at Igbogbele, where a Nigeria Immigration Service officer apparently 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.”
He described the scenario as “deeply troubling,” stressing that this was not the first time Badagry people have been threatened and harassed by security forces 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,” he added.
Whingan opposed any type of reckless behavior or disproportionate force by security agencies, emphasizing that such activities “undermine public trust and endanger the very citizens they are supposed to protect.”
He also stated that his office would engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to guarantee accountability and reforms that prioritize public safety.
He said, “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.”
As of the time this article was filed, Akinsola Akinlabi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, has not returned calls or texts requesting comment.
Residents continue to seek justice for the shooting, and this incident joins a growing list of security-related occurrences in border towns.
