Police deny teargassing Lagos pensioners, say viral image AI-generated

The Lagos State Police Command refuted claims that tear gas was used against pensioners during a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly on August 31, 2026. The organization emphasized that a photograph purportedly showing the incident was created using artificial intelligence. According to The PUNCH, the protest saw around five hundred pensioners demanding unpaid pension adjustments and wage awards gather at the Lagos State Government Secretariat and House of Assembly complex.

The police intervention dispersed the peaceful protest, leading human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) to call for the arrest and prosecution of involved officers. The pensioners are scheduled to meet Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later in the week to address their demands directly. The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, clarified that no tear gas was fired and assured that law and order were maintained throughout the demonstration.