Police officers reportedly fired teargas at pensioners protesting at the Lagos House in Ikeja on Monday over unpaid pension increases, wage awards and other outstanding benefits.
The protesters, comprising members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, gathered at the state government premises to demand urgent action from the Lagos State Government.
The retirees called for the implementation of approved pension increases and wage awards, alongside the payment of accumulated pension arrears and other entitlements they said had remained outstanding.
The demonstration was reportedly disrupted when police officers deployed teargas, forcing some of the pensioners to leave the premises.
The action heightened tensions at the scene, with the retirees expressing dissatisfaction over what they described as the use of force against elderly citizens who were demanding payment of benefits owed to them.
The pensioners had earlier given the Lagos State Government an August 31 deadline to address their grievances, particularly the issues surrounding pension enhancement, wage awards and outstanding payments.
They warned that further action would follow if the government failed to meet their demands.
The retirees said prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements had subjected many pensioners to financial hardship, particularly amid rising living costs.
Monday’s protest at Lagos House ended in disruption following the reported deployment of teargas, as the pensioners continued to demand a resolution to their outstanding welfare issues.
