False And Misleading” — Police Deny Tear-Gassing Lagos Pensioners

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed allegations that its officers fired tear gas at pensioners during a protest in Alausa, Lagos, on Monday, August 31, 2026, describing the claim as “false and misleading.”

According to reports, the command said the demonstration by members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, was conducted peacefully, insisting that no tear gas was deployed by security personnel during the protest.

The police response followed reports and social media posts alleging that security operatives used tear gas on pensioners who gathered to demand the payment of outstanding entitlements from the Lagos State Government.

The controversy also drew the attention of human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who called for appropriate action against any police officers found to have used tear gas on the retirees.

The protest was linked to a prolonged dispute between retired Lagos public servants and the state government over unpaid pension adjustments, consequential increases and outstanding wage awards.

The pensioners converged on the Lagos State Government Secretariat and the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to press their demands for the payment of the outstanding benefits.

Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi said approximately 500 pensioners took part in the demonstration, which commenced at about 8:30am at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja.

She said the protesters were led by the chairman of the Lagos State Council of the NUP, Michael Omishade, alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson, Agnes Funmi Sesse.

To maintain security and prevent a breakdown of law and order, personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Task Force, Eko Strike Force and various police divisions were deployed to the area. The operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

Following the arrival of the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, addressed them before the NUP executives proceeded to the Governor’s Conference Hall for a meeting.

The meeting lasted approximately three hours, after which the pensioners reportedly departed the area at about 4:30pm.

The police said the protesters dispersed peacefully and that no major incident was recorded throughout the demonstration.

“The command wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is false and misleading. Not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest,” Adebisi said.