Police Deny Teargassing Lagos Pensioners, Say Viral Image Is AI-Generated

The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that security personnel tear-gassed pensioners during a protest at the Lagos State Government Office in Alausa, Ikeja.

The pensioners, under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Lagos State Council, staged a protest on Monday, August 31, demanding attention to issues affecting retired civil servants.

The police said approximately 500 pensioners participated in the demonstration, which began at about 8:30 a.m. The protesters were led by their chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, alongside Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.

According to the command, security personnel were deployed to the area primarily to maintain law and order, protect the protesters and ensure the safety of other members of the public.

The deployed personnel included officers from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and divisional police formations within the area.

The police said the operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

The command maintained that no tear gas was fired throughout the protest, dismissing reports suggesting that officers used the chemical agent to disperse the pensioners.

It explained that the protesters were addressed by the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which members of the pensioners’ executive proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.

The meeting reportedly lasted about three hours before the protesters dispersed peacefully at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The police further raised concerns over a photograph circulating on social media that purportedly showed security personnel tear-gassing the elderly protesters.

The command described the photograph as AI-generated and said it did not represent what happened at the protest venue.

It urged members of the public to avoid creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information, warning that manipulated images and false reports could mislead citizens, create unnecessary tension and undermine public confidence.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.

He, however, stressed that protests must remain peaceful, orderly and within the law.

The police urged residents to rely on verified information when assessing reports circulating online and warned against spreading manipulated images or unconfirmed claims.

The command said it would continue to maintain security across Lagos while protecting the rights and safety of residents.