Lagos Police: No Tear Gas Fired at Pensioners’ Protest

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Command dismisses viral image as AI-generated, says NUP protest ended peacefully




The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during their protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.

The Command described the allegation as false and misleading, insisting that no canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, about 500 NUP members staged the protest at the Governor’s Office at approximately 8:30am on Monday, August 31, 2026.

The protesters were led by the NUP Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.

The police said personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional headquarters within the area were deployed to maintain law and order and protect the protesters and other members of the public.

The operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.

The protesters were reportedly addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, before the NUP executives proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.

The meeting lasted about three hours, after which the protesters dispersed peacefully at approximately 4:30pm.

The Command said the area remained calm throughout the protest and that no adverse incident was recorded.

It also dismissed a photograph circulating on social media which purportedly showed the retirees being tear-gassed, saying the image was AI-generated and did not represent events at the protest venue.

The police urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information capable of misleading the public or creating unnecessary tension.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression while ensuring that such activities remain peaceful and orderly.

The Command advised the public to rely on verified information from credible and authorised sources and desist from circulating misinformation, manipulated images and unverified posts.

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