Global Rights Condemns Tear Gas Attack on Pensioners in Lagos
By Yusuf Gwandu
Human rights organisation, Global Rights, has condemned the alleged use of tear gas by officers of the Nigeria Police Force to disperse protesting pensioners in Lagos.
The organisation said the incident occurred on August 31, when members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme gathered at the Governor’s Office, Lagos House, Ikeja, to protest outstanding pension arrears and the non-implementation of approved pension increases, wage awards and other benefits.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, Global Rights described the use of tear gas against the elderly protesters as “deeply concerning.”
The organisation stressed that peaceful protest was a legitimate form of civic participation and an essential component of a democratic society.
“Citizens must be able to demand accountability from the government without fear of intimidation, harassment, or unnecessary use of force,” it said.
Global Rights also linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of excessive and disproportionate use of force against protesters in Nigeria.
It recalled the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024, during which it said at least 24 protesters were killed and more than 1,200 detained.
The organisation also cited the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, when security forces used tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition, resulting in reported deaths and injuries among protesters.
According to Global Rights, similar measures were deployed by the police during protests in Abuja in October 2025.
The organisation urged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the use of tear gas against the pensioners and determine whether the force used was necessary and proportionate.
It also called for accountability against officers found to have acted unlawfully or disproportionately, as well as improved training for police personnel on crowd management, human rights and the policing of peaceful assemblies.
Global Rights further urged the police to prioritise de-escalation, dialogue and negotiation rather than force when managing protests.
The organisation said the police had a responsibility to protect citizens and maintain public order lawfully and proportionately, rather than defend politicians.
It also called on the Lagos State Government to urgently engage with the affected pensioners and provide a clear and transparent timeline for resolving their outstanding payments.
“The solution to a pension dispute is not a police operation. It is responsible governance,” the organisation said.
Global Rights warned that responding to peaceful protests with force could deepen grievances, weaken public trust in government and law enforcement, and undermine democratic participation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to defending civic space, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and human rights in Nigeria.
