A protest by pensioners in Lagos State turned tense on Monday after police officers fired tear gas to disperse retirees who had gathered at the Lagos House in Ikeja.
The pensioners, drawn from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, had converged on the state government premises to draw attention to what they described as unresolved welfare concerns.
The retirees were demanding the implementation of approved pension increases and wage awards, alongside the payment of outstanding pension arrears and other benefits they said had remained unpaid.
The demonstration became chaotic when security personnel intervened and tear gas was fired at the protesters.
The action forced some of the pensioners to leave the area, while others expressed anger over what they described as the use of force against elderly citizens who had gathered to demand their entitlements.
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According to reports, the protesters insisted that their demands were straightforward: payment of accumulated arrears, implementation of approved pension adjustments and settlement of other outstanding benefits owed to them.
The pensioners said they had been left waiting for government action and had therefore taken their grievances to Lagos House in an effort to secure a response from the state authorities.
The incident has renewed concerns over the treatment of pensioners protesting over delayed payments and unresolved welfare issues.
Security officer reportedly killed in Lagos estate
Meanwhile, a separate security incident has been reported in another part of Lagos State after a security officer identified as Stanley was allegedly shot dead at Royale Estate in the Sangotedo area.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday night when two unidentified men riding a motorcycle entered the estate and opened fire on the security officer before fleeing the scene.
A source familiar with the incident said the attackers arrived at the estate between 10pm and 11pm while Stanley was on duty.
The source alleged that the victim was shot multiple times, including in the head, during the attack.
Details surrounding the motive for the killing remain unclear, while the identity and whereabouts of the suspected attackers were not immediately known.
The incident adds to growing security concerns among residents and estate communities in parts of Lagos, where security personnel often serve as the first line of protection for residents and properties.