PRESS STATEMENT
CDWR CONDEMNS THE BRUTALISATION OF LAGOS PENSIONERS BY THE POLICE AT THE LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) condemns the Nigeria Police over the tear-gassing of protesting peaceful pensioners on August 31, 2026 at the Lagos State House Assembly Alausa Ikeja. We reject the denial of this brutal attack by the Lagos State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, hiding behind an AI generated photo to attempt to cover up an atrocious action. There is incontrovertible evidence that cannisters of tear gas were fired at the protesters. That an AI photo was generated to illustrate the attack does not mean it did not happen. The fact is that it has become stock-in-trade of the police in Lagos at the behest of the government to mindlessly attack working people and youth protesting against anti-poor policies or failure of the government.
So, ordinarily for us at the CDWR, it is not surprising that the police attack protesters in Lagos. What is shocking is the extension of their bestial action to elderly/senior citizens whose health conditions are fragile. Indeed, the attack especially with teargas was a threat to the lives of pensioners, some of whom could have developed respiratory problems amidst injuries as a result. If the motive was not to kill, why would the cowardly Nigerian Police who have failed woefully to fight violent crimes teargas defenceless old pensioners?
It should be recalled that on January 28, 2026 a peaceful mass protest against land grabbing, unjust demolition and forced evictions by the Lagos State government in Makoko Owode-Onirin, Oworonshoki and other working class people communities was violently repressed by the police led by the then Lagos Commissioner of Police Jimoh Moshood with a barrage of teargas and unconscionable brutality With the August 31 attack on the pensioners, the current Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olatunji Fatai has only sustained the tradition of brutality by the Lagos state police.
The pensioners embarked on the protest, following the expiration of an ultimatum to the government, to demand an end to delay in the payment of their entitlements, an increment in pension, payment of accumulated arrears and other benefits. These outlined demands are legitimate and we call on the Lagos State government to meet them immediately. In the same country where former governors including Lagos State award to themselves mind-blowing jumbo pensions worth billions of Naira annually, it is shameless and callous for the Lagos State government to pay pensioners, some of whom retired as senior civil servants, between N25,000 and N60,000! This is an egregious example of inequality and iniquity.
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) opposed the privatisation of pension scheme in 2005, entailing a failed pension system that was borrowed from Chile by the then Obasanjo-led government. The resultant contributory pension has debased retirees’ earnings and reduced government commitment to pension earnings. Aged pensioners deserve care and respect for their hard work, dedication and commitment of yesteryears labour but the Lagos State Government is determined to keep the pensioners in poverty and use their lapdog (police) to unleash attack on their democratic rights.
CDWR calls on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society organisations to condemn this mindless attack and join the pensioners in solidarity to put pressure on the government to meet their demands.
Also importantly, we hold that the right to dissent and protest is fundamental and inalienable and must be respected. In order to avert or criminalise protest or resistance against their characteristic anti-poor policies, the capitalist ruling elite has engendered civilian dictatorship and Police State wherein democratic rights are wilfully attacked. CDWR call on the working people and youth not to surrender their rights but rather build a mass movement to consistently resist attacks on democratic rights and anti-poor policies, side by side with the building of mass working people’s party to wrest power from the thieving ruling elite.
SIGNED:
Comrade Rufus Olusesan Comrade Chinedu Bosah
National Chairperson National Publicity Secretary
