One Jacob Bamgbola has been shot dead by in the Idigbo community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Bamgbola was reportedly gunned down by an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, identified simply as Lamba during a protest in the area.
Trouble began when immigration officers at the checkpoint on the expressway stopped him along the Ijowun end of the Idiroko Expressway and demanded N200 before allowing him to continue his journey
It’s gathered that Bamgbola was transporting his sister’s daughter on a motorcycle to a destination in the community refused to grant the officers demand.
Bamgbola was said to have point out that he did nothing wrong to warrant him being allegedly extorted of N200.
The situation led to an minor altercation and while some of the officers were busy questioning other motorists, Bamgbola slip out of their grasp and proceeded with his journey.
On getting to his sister’s place, Bamgbola dropped his niece and proceeded to inform some youths in the community about his encounter with the immigration officers.
The youths, some of whom had also been a victim of similar encounters bordering on alleged extortion by immigration officers on the road, mobilised other youths to the house of a chief in the community, Moses Faleye, to protest about the development.
According to Punch, during the protest, the immigration officers stormed the premises and while trying to disperse the protesters, allegedly shot Bamgbola dead.
“He told them that he is a son of Otun village and why should he pay them anything. After he left, he complained to some youths and the youths mobilised themselves to the Baale’s house to register their grievances over the activities of the officers.
“But within some minutes, the immigration officers came in a van and while the Baale was trying to calm the situation, they started shooting and in the process, one of them known as Lamba shot Bamgbola. The youths were rushing Bamgbola to the hospital when he died.” a local said
Falaye, when contacted, said the events that claimed Bamgbola’s life was unfortunate, adding that the matter should have been settled amicably.
He said, “It happened in front of my house. Youths in the town came to register their displeasure over the activities of the immigration officers in our community.
“While I was trying to placate them, some immigration officers came and when they saw the youths, they started to shoot in the air. In the process, one person was hit by the bullet and he died.
“After the incident, the case was reported at the Igbokofi Police Station and the policemen came with cameras and they took statements from us.”
The spokesperson for the NIS in the state, Olajide Oshifeso, said, “The matter is already being investigated and when it is completed, details of the matter would be made public.
