The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Lagos State Council, were tear-gassed during their protest in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, August 31, 2026, describing a photograph circulating on social media as AI-generated.
The Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, said no tear gas was fired during the protest, which involved about 500 pensioners.
According to the police, the NUP members staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, at about 8:30 am on Monday.
The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
The Command said personnel were deployed to the area to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
Those deployed included operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and personnel from divisional headquarters within the area. The security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations.
The police said the protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the NUP executives proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
According to the Command, the meeting lasted for about three hours before the protesters dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 pm.
It added that the area remained calm throughout the exercise and no adverse incident was recorded.
The Command said it was particularly concerned about a photograph circulating on social media and purportedly showing the retirees being tear-gassed during the protest.
It stated that the image was AI-generated and did not represent what happened at the protest venue.
“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,” the statement added.
The police urged members of the public to exercise caution when sharing information on social media, warning against the creation, sharing or amplification of unverified reports capable of misleading the public, creating unnecessary tension or undermining confidence in public institutions.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
He urged 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 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,” the statement said.
The Command restated its commitment to responsible policing and the safety and security of residents and visitors across Lagos.
Police deny tear-gassing pensioners in Lagos, say viral image AI-generated