The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged assault and tear-gassing of protesting pensioners in Lagos State, asking the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to identify the officer who authorised the action.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, August 31, 2026, when pensioners took to the streets to protest the alleged non-payment of outstanding gratuities owed them by the Lagos State Government.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Godwin Amadin, the NUP condemned what it described as “police brutality and assault” against the protesters, insisting that the pensioners were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest.
The union questioned the rationale behind deploying tear gas against elderly citizens who had spent their working years serving and contributing to the development of the Lagos State public service.
According to the NUP, the alleged police action was particularly troubling because the affected pensioners were already facing financial hardship as a result of outstanding entitlements.
The union said pensioners who had allegedly been subjected to “starvation, penury” and severe hardship while waiting for their legitimate benefits should not have been subjected to further intimidation or molestation when demanding payment.
The NUP consequently urged the IGP to conduct what it described as a “deep investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish who ordered the police action.
“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 pensioners’ body also questioned the apparent difference in the 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 NUP asked, arguing that the comparison was central to its demand for justice and accountability.
The union maintained that anyone found responsible for the alleged assault should be held accountable.
It also reminded the police and other government institutions that workers would eventually become pensioners, warning that the treatment of pensioners today could shape how serving workers are treated when they retire.
“A worker today, is a pensioner, tomorrow,” the NUP stated.
Beyond the alleged police action, the union renewed its appeal to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state governors with outstanding pension and gratuity obligations to settle the arrears without further delay.
The NUP said timely payment of pensioners’ entitlements would help prevent what it described as “incessant cases of avoidable embarrassment, molestation, intimidation and unnecessary harassment” of retirees who are compelled to protest to secure benefits owed to them.
The union’s demand comes amid continuing concerns over delayed pension and gratuity payments and the difficulties faced by retirees who depend on their post-service entitlements for their livelihood.
