Police say no tear gas was fired as CDHR demands probe, payment of retirees’ outstanding entitlements
The Lagos State Police Command has denied tear-gassing pensioners during their protest in Alausa, describing reports of the incident as false and misleading.
Police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said no tear gas was fired throughout the protest on Monday, August 31, 2026.
According to the command, about 500 members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners gathered at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, with security personnel deployed to maintain law and order.
The police said the protesters were later addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, before the pensioners’ executives held a meeting with government officials. It added that the protesters dispersed peacefully around 4:30pm.
The command also dismissed a circulating image allegedly showing pensioners being tear-gassed, claiming it was AI-generated and did not represent events at the protest.
However, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) condemned the alleged use of force against the retirees and called for an investigation.
The group described the reported action as “inhumane” and urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to urgently settle verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances owed to the retirees.
CDHR also demanded a clear and time-bound payment schedule for the outstanding entitlements and called on security agencies to exercise restraint when handling peaceful protests.