Immigration Officer Allegedly Shoots Woman In Badagry Community
Tension has engulfed residents of Gbogbele Community in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, following the alleged shooting and injuring of a woman by a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer during an early morning operation on Friday.
The incident, which occurred on November 7, 2025, has sparked anger and anxiety among locals, who are demanding an immediate investigation into what they describe as an unnecessary and reckless use of force.
According to eyewitnesses, immigration personnel arrived in the community in two Toyota Hilux vans and positioned themselves near a local bridge. Trouble reportedly started when a resident approached the officers to ask about their mission and insisted that the local council chairman be notified before any operation could proceed.
Sources said the inquiry infuriated the officers—particularly the team leader—who allegedly ordered the arrest of the resident. The situation escalated when the man, identified by locals as a former councillor, Hon. Friday Gigonu, fled, prompting the officers to pursue him.
During the chase, one of the officers allegedly fired a shot that missed the target and struck a woman resting in her room.
A community leader said the bullet pierced the wall of the woman’s house before hitting her arm.
“She was lying down in her room when the bullet entered and struck her. The officers had come from Ropoji and were already in Gbogbele when this happened,” he said.
Another resident, Muyiwa, said that tensions had begun the previous day after immigration officers allegedly seized a resident’s National Identification Number (NIN) card—an issue in which Hon. Gigonu had intervened.
“By Friday morning, they returned looking for him,” Muyiwa said. “When they spotted him, another argument broke out. One of the officers shot in his direction, but the bullet missed and hit the woman instead.”
The victim was rushed to Badagry General Hospital, where doctors confirmed that the gunshot shattered the bone in her arm. She is currently receiving treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) nor the Lagos State Police Command had issued an official statement on the incident. Attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Seme Border Command, were unsuccessful.
The silence from authorities has further heightened tension, with residents accusing security personnel of harassment and excessive force.
Community leaders and human rights advocates have called for a swift and transparent investigation, urging the Federal Government to ensure justice is served.
“It is unacceptable for a law enforcement officer to fire a weapon in a residential area, injuring an innocent woman in her home. This must not be swept under the carpet,” a community leader said.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the conduct and rules of engagement of security agencies operating within civilian communities.