‘Teargassing Pensioners Is Like A Gas Chamber’ — Sowore Condemns Lagos Protest Attack

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the alleged use of tear gas against pensioners protesting in Lagos, describing the action as comparable to placing elderly citizens in a gas chamber.

Sowore criticised the incident after pensioners gathered to demand the payment of their outstanding benefits and improved welfare conditions.

The protesters reportedly faced resistance from security personnel during the demonstration, with tear gas allegedly deployed to disperse the gathering.

Reacting to the development, Sowore expressed outrage over the treatment of the elderly protesters, arguing that pensioners who had spent decades serving the country should not be subjected to such treatment while demanding what was owed to them.

He described the use of tear gas against the protesters as unacceptable and questioned the justification for deploying force against citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

The activist said the incident reflected broader concerns about how authorities respond to demonstrations in Nigeria, particularly protests involving vulnerable groups.

The pensioners’ demonstration was linked to demands over unpaid pension obligations and other entitlements. The protesters called for urgent action to address their grievances, insisting that retired workers should not be forced to repeatedly protest before receiving benefits earned through years of public service.

Sowore maintained that pensioners deserved dignity, respect and protection from excessive force.

He also urged authorities to engage the protesters through dialogue rather than relying on security measures to suppress demonstrations.

The incident has renewed debate over the treatment of protesters in Nigeria and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.

For many pensioners, delayed payments can create serious financial difficulties, particularly as retirees depend heavily on pensions and other retirement benefits to meet their daily needs.

Sowore’s reaction adds to calls for greater accountability from security agencies and government officials involved in managing public demonstrations.

The activist has frequently criticised the government over what he describes as failures to protect citizens’ rights and address socioeconomic challenges.

The Lagos incident is expected to intensify discussions about pension administration, workers’ welfare and the right of citizens to protest peacefully.

Sowore insisted that pensioners should not be treated as criminals for demanding their legitimate entitlements, calling on the relevant authorities to resolve their grievances and ensure that similar incidents do not occur again.