Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that its operatives tear-gassed pensioners who protested against alleged inadequate pension payments at the Lagos State Governor’s Office on Monday.
The command also described as AI-generated a viral photograph purportedly showing security operatives tear-gassing the protesting pensioners.
The denial was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday.
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The command said reports circulating on social media 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, were false and misleading.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to debunk 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, 31st August 2026.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is false and misleading. Not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest.”
According to the police, about 500 members of the NUP, led by its chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse, arrived at the Governor’s Office at about 8:30 am.
The command said personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional police headquarters within the area were deployed to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
It said the security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
The police added that the protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the NUP executives proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
The meeting, according to the command, lasted for about three hours, after which the protesters dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 pm.
“The area remained calm and no adverse incident was recorded,” the statement added.
On the viral photograph purportedly showing the pensioners being tear-gassed, the command said it was “particularly concerned” about its circulation.
It stated, “The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue.”
The command 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 confidence in the police.
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, 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 posts.
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