The Lagos State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers fired tear gas at pensioners during a protest at Alausa, Lagos, on Monday, August 31, 2026, describing the claim as false and misleading.

The denial followed reports and images circulated on social media alleging that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during the demonstration. The development had also prompted human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, to call for action against any police officers found to have used tear gas on the retirees.

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According to the police, about 500 pensioners participated in the protest, which began at approximately 8:30am at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja. The protesters were led by NUP Lagos State Council Chairman, Michael Omishade, alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson, Agnes Funmi Sesse.

Police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Task Force, Eko Strike Force and various police divisions were deployed to maintain security and prevent any breakdown of law and order. The operation was reportedly coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.

The pensioners had gathered at the Lagos State Government Secretariat and the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to demand payment of outstanding pension adjustments, consequential increases and wage awards, which they said remained unpaid by the state government.

Following their arrival, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, addressed the protesters before the NUP executives proceeded to the Governor’s Conference Hall for a meeting. The meeting lasted about three hours.

The police said the pensioners subsequently left the area at about 4:30pm and dispersed peacefully, with no major incident recorded during the protest.

“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,” Adebisi said.

The police command maintained that its personnel acted professionally throughout the demonstration and that the deployment was solely aimed at ensuring the safety of the protesters and other residents while preventing a breakdown of law and order.