By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the alleged assault and tear-gassing of protesting pensioners in Lagos State and identify the officer who authorised the action.
The pensioners were reportedly subjected to the police action on Monday, August 31, 2026, while protesting the non-payment of outstanding gratuities owed them by the Lagos State Government.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Godwin Amadin, the NUP condemned what it described as “police brutality and assault” against the pensioners, insisting that they were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.
The union questioned the rationale behind deploying tear gas against senior citizens who, it said, had spent their productive years contributing to the development of the Lagos State public service.
The NUP expressed concern that pensioners allegedly denied their legitimate entitlements and subjected to “starvation, penury” and hardship were further confronted with intimidation and molestation while demanding payment of their benefits.
It consequently called on the IGP to conduct a “deep investigation” into the incident and determine who ordered the police action against the protesters.
“Who actually gave such order to dehumanize pensioners, who caused no breach of peace and destroyed no life and property in the course of the peaceful protest?” the union asked.
The NUP also questioned what it described as the different treatment of retired police officers who recently protested at the premises of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) over alleged non-payment of their post-service entitlements.
“Why were those ex-police officers not tear gassed?” the union asked, saying the question was central to its demand for justice and accountability over the Lagos incident.
The union insisted that anyone found responsible for the alleged assault and tear-gassing of the pensioners should be brought to book.
The NUP further reminded the police and other public institutions that “a worker today, is a pensioner, tomorrow,” warning that the treatment meted out to pensioners could have implications for workers who will eventually retire.
Beyond its demand for a police investigation, the union renewed its call on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other governors owing pensioners outstanding gratuities and pensions to settle the arrears without further delay.
According to the NUP, prompt payment of pensioners’ entitlements would help prevent what it described as the “incessant cases of avoidable embarrassment, molestation, intimidation and unnecessary harassment” of pensioners seeking their legitimate benefits.
