By Adebola Muili
The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that pensioners were tear-gassed during their protest in Alausa, Ikeja, declaring that no tear gas was fired and that a viral photograph purportedly showing the incident was AI-generated.
The denial followed reports and social media posts alleging that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during their protest at the Lagos State Government premises on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said about 500 NUP members staged the protest at the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, led by the union’s Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
Adebisi said personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional headquarters within the area were deployed to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
She said the operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations.
According to her, the protesters were 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.
The meeting, she said, lasted about three hours, after which the protesters dispersed peacefully at about 4:30pm, with no adverse incident recorded.
“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.
She said the Command was particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees, insisting that the image was AI-generated.
“The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue,” she said.
The police spokesperson 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, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression while ensuring that such activities remained peaceful, orderly and within the law.
Fatai also 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 Command, Adebisi said, remained committed to “policing with humility and integrity” while ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors to Lagos State
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