By Olusegun Samuel Precious
Chaos erupted at the Lagos State Secretariat in Ikeja on Monday as police officers fired teargas to disperse hundreds of elderly retired public servants protesting over unpaid pension arrears and benefits.
The retirees, operating under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Contributory Pension Scheme, had assembled outside the Lagos House and the State House of Assembly to press home demands for approved pension increases, accrued wage awards, and outstanding benefit adjustments.
Eyewitness accounts confirmed the demonstration was peaceful until police personnel deployed teargas canisters into the crowd of senior citizens, sending elderly men and women fleeing in panic through thick clouds of smoke.
Defending the operational tactic, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, claimed that “minimal force” was necessary to clear blocked roadways and maintain public order, alleging that security intelligence indicated criminal elements had infiltrated the gathering.
However, civil rights activists present at the scene refuted the police command’s claims.
“They were calm, and at the point teargas was fired, they were being asked to sit down so water and snacks could be shared,” said activist Yemi Adamolekun. “These people are elderly—where exactly do you expect them to go?”
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and legal practitioners. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, described the police action as primitive and unconstitutional, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately identify and prosecute the officers involved.
“A rally or placard-carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues,” Falana stated, citing appellate court rulings confirming that citizens do not require police permits to hold peaceful assemblies.
Following the public outcry, the leadership of the union is scheduled to hold a meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later this week to present their grievances directly.
