Rights Group Faults Police Teargassing Of Protesting Pensioners In Lagos

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned in strong terms the use of teargas to disperse Lagos State pensioners for staging a peaceful protest demanding payment of their pensions, gratuities and other outstanding entitlements.

President of the group, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, who made this known in Lagos on Wednesday, said the peaceful protesters had dedicated several productive years of their lives to the service of Lagos State and should not be treated as such.

He noted that the placards displayed by the pensioners in front of the Lagos State House of Assembly gate clearly conveyed the depth of their frustration, including demands for the immediate payment of outstanding entitlements.

“Some of the aged pensioners have health challenges and are on medication. Retired public servants are therefore entitled to demand payment of benefits lawfully due to them without intimidation, harassment and unnecessary use of force”, Omotehinse declared.

He decried the denial of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, that the footage showing the scene of the tear-gassing of  protesters by the Police was generated through artificial intelligence.

While calling for investigation and arrest of the officers involved in the use of force, the President noted that this is the third time the police in Lagos State used teargas to disperse peaceful protesters in the State since the assumption of office of the current commissioner.

“We challenge Lagos State Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai to investigate the incident, and if truly the news was fake, then perpetrators should  be brought to book as this issue is beyond a mere damage control as those involved are aged men and women who have dedicated almost 85% of their lives to serve this state,” he said.

According to him, the Lagos State government should immediately commence payment of all verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances owed retirees.