Lagos pensioners protest sparks allegations of police tear-gassing

Civil society organizations and activists are demanding an investigation into allegations that police used tear gas against elderly pensioners protesting in Lagos. The retirees gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand the payment of outstanding pensions, gratuities, and other entitlements.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana and the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) have called for accountability, with CHSR President Alex Omotehinse questioning whether the state government authorized the use of force against aged citizens. Omotehinse characterized the incident as part of a pattern of security agencies disrupting peaceful protests in the state.

The Lagos State Police Command has denied the allegations, calling the claims “false and misleading.” Police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi stated that approximately 500 pensioners protested peacefully and concluded their meeting without incident. Furthermore, the police command alleged that a viral photograph appearing to show pensioners being tear-gassed was AI-generated.