Lagos Police Denies Tear-Gassing Pensioners, Says Viral Photos Are AI-Generated
The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that its officers fired tear gas at protesting pensioners in Lagos, describing the allegation as “false and misleading.”
The Command also dismissed a photograph circulating widely on social media, which purportedly showed security operatives firing tear-gas canisters at members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council, during their protest on Monday, August 31, 2026.
According to the Police, the photograph being circulated as evidence of the alleged incident was generated using artificial intelligence and did not represent what happened at the protest venue.
The Pensioners had gathered to demand the payment of outstanding pension adjustments and wage awards, with their protest taking place around the Lagos State Government Secretariat and the Lagos State House of Assembly complex.
The demonstration attracted the attention of Security Agencies, leading to the deployment of Police personnel and other security operatives to the area to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
However, reports later circulated on social media alleging that Police Officers had fired tear gas at the retirees in an attempt to disperse them.
The Lagos State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Adebisi Abimbola, firmly rejected the allegation, insisting that no tear-gas canister was fired throughout the duration of the protest.
Giving an account of what transpired, Abimbola said approximately 500 members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, participated in the peaceful demonstration.
“At about 08:30 am on Monday, 31st August 2026, approximately five hundred (500) members of the NUP, Lagos State Council, staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.”
She said the protesters were led by the NUP Lagos State Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, alongside the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse.
According to the police spokesperson, personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and officers from divisional headquarters within the area were deployed to the scene.
She explained that the deployment was in line with the constitutional responsibility of the Command to maintain law and order while ensuring the safety of the protesters and other members of the public.
The security operation, she added, was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.
Abimbola said the protesters were subsequently addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde.
Following the engagement, the executives of the NUP proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
The meeting, according to the Police, lasted approximately three hours.
After the meeting, the protesters reportedly dispersed peacefully at about 4:30 pm.
“The protesters subsequently dispersed peacefully at about 04:30 pm, with the area remaining calm and no adverse incident recorded.”
The Command said it was particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees.
The Police maintained that the photograph was not authentic and did not capture any event that occurred during the pensioners’ protest.
“The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue,” Abimbola said.
The Command consequently urged members of the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing it on social media.
It warned against creating, sharing or amplifying unverified information capable of misleading the public, inciting unnecessary tension or undermining confidence in security agencies.
The Police stressed that misinformation, particularly concerning security operations and public demonstrations, could create unnecessary fear and tension among residents.
The Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property while respecting the right of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
The pensioners’ protest was centred on their demands for the resolution of outstanding pension adjustments and wage awards owed to retirees.
Global Mirror News gathered that the protest began at about 8:30 am and ended peacefully around 4:30 pm after the pensioners’ representatives held a meeting with officials of the Lagos State Government.
Despite the presence of a large number of protesters and the deployment of security personnel, the police said no adverse incident was recorded throughout the exercise.
The Command therefore advised Lagos residents and other members of the public to verify the authenticity of photographs, videos and reports before sharing them online.
It particularly urged social media users to be wary of artificially generated content, noting that such materials can be presented in ways that make them appear to depict real events.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command maintained that no tear gas was fired at the protesting pensioners and that the demonstration ended peacefully without any adverse incident.
