By Peter Emmanuel |
The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging 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, on Monday, August 31, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the allegation as false and misleading, insisting that not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the protest.
The Command said about 500 members of the NUP Lagos State Council participated in the protest, led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
According to Adebisi, personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional police headquarters within the area were deployed to maintain law and order and protect the protesters and other members of the public.
The Command said the protesters were later 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.
Police Say No Tear Gas Was Fired During NUP Protest
Adebisi said the protest began at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday and remained peaceful throughout the day.
She said the deployment of security personnel was carried out as part of the Command’s constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of protesters and other members of the public.
According to the statement, the security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.
The NUP executives subsequently held a meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall, which lasted for approximately three hours.
The protesters dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 p.m., with the Command saying the area remained calm and no adverse incident was recorded.
Police Declare Viral Tear-Gassing Image AI-Generated
The Command said it was particularly concerned about a photograph circulating on social media which purportedly showed pensioners being tear-gassed during the protest.
Adebisi said the photograph was AI-generated and did not represent what transpired at the protest venue.
She urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information about the incident.
According to the Command, the circulation of false or manipulated information could mislead the public, create unnecessary tension and undermine public confidence.
The police spokesperson also urged members of the public to rely on verified information from credible and authorised sources and desist from circulating manipulated images and unverified posts.
Lagos Police Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Assembly
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
Fatai said the police would continue to ensure that such activities remain peaceful, orderly and within the ambit of the law.
The Command said its responsibility was to maintain security while allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to desist from creating or circulating misinformation, manipulated images and unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary tension.
The Lagos State Police Command said it remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors across the state while policing with humility and integrity.
