In a tragic incident, a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer, identified as Lamba, has been accused of fatally shooting a protester named Jacob Bamgbola in the Idigbo community of Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State.According to reports gathered by PUNCH Metro, the incident unfolded when Bamgbola was transporting his sister’s daughter on a motorcycle through the community. Immigration officers manning a checkpoint on the expressway near the Ijowun end of the Idiroko Expressway halted him and demanded a payment of N200 before granting him permission to continue his journey.Refusing to comply with the officers’ demand, Bamgbola asserted that he had done nothing wrong to justify being allegedly extorted for N200. This refusal sparked an argument between him and the officers. Seizing the opportunity when attention shifted away from him, Bamgbola swiftly departed from the scene.Upon reaching his sister’s residence, Bamgbola dropped off his niece and promptly informed several youths in the community about his encounter with the immigration officers. These young individuals, who had also experienced similar incidents involving alleged extortion by immigration officers on the road, rallied together and headed to the home of a community chief, Moses Faleye, to stage a protest regarding the matter.A community source disclosed that during the protest, the immigration officers arrived at the premises. In an attempt to disperse the demonstrators, one of the officers purportedly shot Bamgbola, resulting in his untimely death.”Bamgbola encountered immigration officers on the road while returning after dropping off his sister’s daughter. These officers are a regular presence at the checkpoint. They stopped him and demanded N200, but he refused,” the source explained.”He informed them that he is a resident of Otun village and questioned why he should pay them anything. Subsequently, he complained to some youths, and they mobilized themselves to the chief’s house to express their grievances over the officers’ activities.”The source added, “Within minutes, the immigration officers arrived in a van. While the chief attempted to calm the situation, they began shooting, and during the chaos, an officer known as Lamba shot Bamgbola. The youths were rushing Bamgbola to the hospital when he passed away.”Expressing dismay over the incident, Adesina Alabi, the head of the vigilance group in the town, deplored the pervasive issue of security personnel extorting money from motorists along the road.”Come to this side of the road, and you’ll witness how the police, Customs officers, immigration officers, and others simply mount roadblocks to extort money from motorists. It has become excessive,” Alabi lamented.When contacted, Moses Faleye stated that the events leading to Bamgbola’s tragic demise were regrettable, emphasizing that the matter could have been resolved amicably.”The incident occurred in front of my house. The youths in the town came to express their dissatisfaction with the immigration officers’ conduct in our community,” Faleye recounted.”While I was attempting to calm them down, some immigration officers arrived, and upon seeing the youths, they began firing shots in the air. Regrettably, one person was struck by a bullet and lost his life.”Faleye further revealed that the incident was promptly reported at the Igbokofi Police Station, where statements were taken from eyewitnesses by officers equipped with cameras.In response to inquiries, SP Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer, expressed unawareness of the case but assured that she would investigate and provide an update.Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the NIS in the state, Olajide Oshifeso, confirmed that an investigation into the matter was underway, assuring the public that once concluded, the details would be disclosed.