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By Christopher Oji and Divine Ugwueze
Lagos State Police Command has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during their peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The Command also described as false and misleading a photograph circulating online purportedly showing security operatives tear-gassing the protesting retirees, saying the image was AI-generated and did not represent what transpired at the protest venue.
In a statement by the spokesperson for the Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police said no tear gas canister was fired throughout the duration of the protest.
“The Command states unequivocally that the allegation is false and misleading. Not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest,” Adebisi said.
She explained that at about 8:30 a.m. on the day of the protest, approximately 500 members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, staged a peaceful demonstration at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja. The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
According to the police spokesperson, security personnel were deployed to the area in line with the constitutional responsibility of the Command to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
She said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, as well as personnel from divisional headquarters within the area, were deployed for the operation.
“The security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations,” she added.
Adebisi said the protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the executives of the NUP proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
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She said the meeting lasted approximately three hours, adding that the protesters later dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 p.m., with the area remaining calm throughout the period.
“No adverse incident was recorded,” she said.
The Command, however, expressed concern over the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees.
“The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue,” Adebisi said.
The police consequently urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information capable of misleading the public, inciting unnecessary tension or undermining public confidence.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, reiterated the commitment of the police to protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
Fatai, however, stressed that such activities must remain peaceful, orderly and within the ambit of the law.
He urged members of the public to rely on verified information from credible and authorised sources and desist from creating or circulating misinformation, manipulated images and unverified social media posts.
“The Command remains committed to policing with humility and integrity, while ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state,” the statement added.
