The 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, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the allegation as false and misleading, stressing that “not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest.”
According to the statement, about 500 members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday.
The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
“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, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, as well as personnel from divisional headquarters within the axis, were deployed to the area.
“The security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations,” the statement read.
The police said 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 lasted approximately three hours, while the protesters later dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 p.m., with the area remaining calm and no adverse incident recorded.
The Command expressed particular concern over the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees, saying the image was AI-generated and did not represent what transpired at the protest venue.
It therefore 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
The Commissioner said the Command remained committed to policing with humility and integrity while ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.
