By Esther Onyegbula
The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during their protest on Monday, describing a viral photograph purportedly showing the incident as AI-generated.
The Command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Tuesday, said no tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest, urging members of the public to disregard the report.
According to the police, about 500 members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, at about 8:30am on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
The Command said its operatives were deployed to the area as part of measures to maintain law and order and protect the protesters and other members of the public.
It listed the deployed personnel to include operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and personnel from divisional headquarters within the axis.
The police said the security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations.
The Command said the protesters were subsequently addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, following which the executives of the NUP proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
It said the meeting lasted for about three hours, after which the protesters dispersed peacefully at approximately 4:30pm.
“Not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest,” the Command stated.
It added that the area remained calm throughout the protest, with no adverse incident recorded.
The police, however, expressed concern over the circulation of a photograph purportedly showing security personnel tear-gassing the protesting pensioners.
According to the Command, the photograph was “AI-generated” and did not represent what transpired at the protest venue.
“The Command is particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees.
“The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue,” it said.
The Command warned members of the public against creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information, saying such materials could mislead the public, create unnecessary tension and undermine confidence in the police.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
He, however, stressed that such activities must remain peaceful, orderly and within the ambit of the law.
CP Tijani Fatai urged members of the public to rely on verified information from credible and authorised sources, while warning against the creation or circulation of misinformation, manipulated images and unverified social media posts.
The Commissioner assured residents and visitors to Lagos that the Command remained committed to policing the state with humility and integrity while ensuring the safety and security of all.
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