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Says Image AI-Generated
- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Police Command has debunked claims of firing tear-gas at protesting members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Council.
NPO Reported that the pensioners had yesterday staged a protest over delays in implementing approved pension adjustments and wage awards.
The pensioners stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to express their displeasure over the delay.
Meanwhile, reports would emerge on alleged clash between the pensioners and security operatives who tear-gassed them.
Reacting to the allegation, the Lagos Police Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, debunked the reports circulating online.
The Command clarified that the allegation is false and misleading, adding that not a single canister of tear gas was fired throughout the duration of the protest.
‘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.
‘The protesters were led by their Chairman, Comrade Michael Omishade, and the NLC Chairperson, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sesse. In line with the constitutional responsibility of the Command, to maintain law and order, and ensure the safety of the protesters and other members of the public, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, as well as personnel from divisional headquarters within the axis, were deployed to the area.
‘The security operation was coordinated and led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations.
‘The protesters were addressed by the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the executives of the NUP proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.
‘The meeting lasted approximately three hours. The protesters subsequently dispersed peacefully at about 04:30 pm, with the area remaining calm and no adverse incident recorded.’ The statement partly read.
Also reacting on a viral picture which was purportedly taken during the tear-gas incident involving the pensioners, the Lagos Police held that the image was AI-generated as it reiterated that nothing of such occurred during the protest.
‘The Command is particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees.
‘The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue.’ Abimbola wrote.
The Command urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from creating, sharing, or amplifying unverified information capable of misleading the public, inciting unnecessary tension, or undermining public confidence.
Tijani Fatai, the Lagos Police Commissioner, also enjoined members of the public to rely on verified information from credible and authorised sources and desist from creating or circulating misinformation, manipulated images, and unverified posts.