The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports alleging that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during a peaceful protest in Lagos on Monday, August 31, 2026.
In a statement, the Command described the allegation as false and misleading, stressing that no tear gas canister was fired throughout the protest.
According to the police, about 500 members of the NUP staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, at about 8:30 a.m. The protesters were led by the union’s Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
Security operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional headquarters were deployed to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
The protesters were later addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which NUP executives proceeded for a meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
The police said the meeting lasted about three hours, while the protesters dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 p.m., with no adverse incident recorded.
The Command also raised concerns over a photograph circulating online which allegedly showed retirees being tear-gassed, describing the image as AI-generated and unrelated to the protest.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, urged members of the public to avoid creating or sharing unverified information, manipulated images and misleading posts capable of causing unnecessary tension.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression while ensuring that public gatherings remain peaceful, orderly and within the ambit of the law.
