CHSR Condemns Alleged Tear-Gassing of Pensioners at Lagos Assembly, Demands Justice

 


By oluwaseyi fadoro 

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has strongly condemned the alleged tear-gassing and use of force against pensioners who staged a peaceful protest at the gate of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, August 31, 2026.


The organisation described the reported incident as disturbing, inhumane and a serious affront to the dignity of elderly citizens who had devoted many years of their lives to the service of Lagos State.


This was disclosed in a pres conference held in on Wednesday in Lagos ,said the pensioners had gathered peacefully to demand the payment of their outstanding pensions, gratuities and other entitlements.


According to the organisation, the placards displayed by the protesters reflected their frustrations over unpaid benefits, economic hardship and the health challenges confronting many retirees.


CHSR stressed that pension was neither a favour nor charity, but an entitlement earned through years of dedicated public service.


“Retired public servants are entitled to demand the payment of benefits lawfully due to them without intimidation, harassment or unnecessary use of force,” the organisation said.


The group maintained that the appropriate response to legitimate grievances by pensioners should be dialogue, engagement and prompt resolution rather than the use of force.


CHSR also called on the Lagos State Government to urgently address the outstanding entitlements of retirees, noting that elderly citizens who served the state should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship while awaiting the payment of their benefits.


The organisation further challenged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the facts surrounding the alleged tear-gassing were made public.


CHSR said its attention had been drawn to claims attributed to the Commissioner of Police concerning videos and photographs from the protest, urging the police authorities to carry out a credible investigation into the matter.


Among its demands, the organisation called on the Lagos State Government to immediately commence the payment of all verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances owed to retirees.


It also urged the government to publish a transparent and time-bound schedule for settling all outstanding pensioners’ entitlements and engage directly with representatives of the retirees to resolve their grievances peacefully.


CHSR further called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged tear-gassing of the elderly protesters, insisting that any security personnel found responsible should be held accountable.


The group also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that security agencies respect the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.


It urged the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies to strengthen the training and retraining of their personnel on the professional management of peaceful protests, with emphasis on restraint, dialogue and respect for human dignity.

CHSR specifically called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order a thorough investigation into the alleged attack and ensure appropriate action against any officers found culpable.


The organisation also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, organised labour, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the affected pensioners and demand justice.


In its conclusion, CHSR urged the Lagos State Government to treat the matter with the urgency and sensitivity it deserves.


The organisation said the government must demonstrate that public servants who dedicated their productive years to serving Lagos State would not be abandoned in retirement.


CHSR added that it would continue to monitor developments, advocate for the rights and welfare of the affected pensioners, and demand accountability and the resolution of their grievances.

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