Lagos Police Deny Tear-Gassing Pensioners During Peaceful Protest

The Lagos State Police Command has denied social media reports alleging that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, August 31, 2026.

The pensioners had gathered at the Lagos State Government Secretariat and the House of Assembly complex to press for outstanding pension adjustments and wage awards, with reports claiming police fired teargas canisters to disperse them.

Command spokesperson, SP Adebisi Abimbola, dismissed the allegation as false, insisting no tear gas was deployed at any point during the protest.

Giving an account of the day's events, Adebisi said the demonstration involved a large turnout under organised leadership.

"At about 08:30 am on Monday, 31st August 2026, approximately five hundred (500) members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor's Office, Alausa, Ikeja. The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse," she said.

She said security personnel were deployed strictly to maintain order and protect those involved.

"In line with the constitutional responsibility of the Command, to maintain law and order, and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, as well as personnel from divisional headquarters within the axis, were deployed to the area. The security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations," she said.

According to her, the protest proceeded without incident and ended calmly following engagement with government officials.

"The protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the executives of the NUP proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor's Conference Hall. The meeting lasted approximately three hours. The protesters subsequently dispersed peacefully at about 04:30 pm, with the area remaining calm and no adverse incident recorded," she said.

Adebisi said the Command was particularly troubled by an image circulating online that purported to show the alleged tear-gassing.

"The Command is particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees. The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue," she said.

She urged members of the public to be cautious about spreading unverified claims.

Adebisi urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from creating, sharing, or amplifying unverified information capable of misleading the public, inciting unnecessary tension, or undermining public confidence.