The Lagos State Police Command has rejected reports that police officers used tear gas to disperse pensioners protesting at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, saying a photograph circulating online in connection with the incident was generated using artificial intelligence.
The command made the clarification on Tuesday as controversy continued over the protest by retired Lagos public servants demanding payment of outstanding pension adjustments, wage awards and related benefits.
Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that no tear-gas canister was fired during the protest.
The denial followed reports that tear gas had been used against the pensioners at the Alausa protest, prompting human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) to call for the arrest and prosecution of officers allegedly involved.
The pensioners had gathered around the Lagos State Government Secretariat and House of Assembly complex to press their demands amid a prolonged dispute with the state government over pension increases, consequential adjustments and wage awards they say remain unpaid.
Police give account of protest
According to the police, about 500 members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Lagos State Council, arrived at the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, at about 8:30am on Monday.
The protesters were led by NUP Lagos State Council Chairman Michael Omishade and Nigeria Labour Congress Chairperson Agnes Funmi Sesse.
The command said several security formations were deployed to the area to maintain order and protect both the protesters and other members of the public.
Personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and nearby divisional headquarters were deployed under the coordination of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
Police said the protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which NUP officials moved into the Governor’s Conference Hall for a meeting that lasted about three hours.
The command said the protesters later left peacefully at about 4:30pm, adding that no adverse incident was recorded.
Police say viral photograph is AI-generated
The command also disputed the authenticity of a photograph circulating online which purportedly showed pensioners being tear-gassed during the demonstration.
According to the police, the image was generated using artificial intelligence and did not depict events at the protest venue.
The command urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it, warning that unverified claims could create unnecessary tension and affect public confidence in law enforcement.
Pensioners expect meeting with Sanwo-Olu
The dispute over the retirees’ outstanding demands is not, however, over.
The pensioners are expected to meet with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later in the week following the attention the protest reportedly received from the Governor’s Office.
The meeting could provide an opportunity for the retirees to present their grievances directly to the governor and seek progress on the outstanding pension adjustments and wage-related payments.
The police command, meanwhile, said Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai remains committed to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
The competing accounts surrounding Monday’s protest mean that further clarification may depend on additional evidence or findings concerning what happened at the scene.