The Lagos State Police Command is pushing back on claims that pensioners were tear-gassed during a protest in Alausa on Monday, saying the viral photo making rounds online was made with AI.
In a statement on Tuesday, police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said about 500 members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Lagos Council, gathered peacefully at the Lagos State House of Assembly and later at the Governor’s Office in Ikeja to demand payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.
According to the police, the protest started around 8:30am and ended peacefully at about 4:30pm. The group was led by NUP Lagos Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and NLC Lagos Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
Security was provided by officers from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, and nearby divisions. The operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
After addressing the crowd, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, met with NUP executives for about three hours inside the Governor’s Conference Hall.
The Command said “not a single canister of tear gas was fired” and described the circulating image of retirees being tear-gassed as AI-generated and not from the actual protest.
“The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue,” the statement read.
Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai urged residents to get information from official sources and avoid sharing unverified content that could cause tension or erode trust in security agencies.
The police denial follows a SaharaReporters report that the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, had called for an investigation into the alleged use of tear gas and asked the Lagos government to pay all verified benefits owed to retirees.
The Command said it remains committed to “policing with humility and integrity” while protecting the right to peaceful assembly.
