Lagos police deny tear-gassing pensioners as #EndBadGovernance demands CP’s sack

The Lagos State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers tear-gassed pensioners during a protest at the Lagos House in Ikeja, even as the #EndBadGovernance movement and other civil society groups demanded the immediate removal of Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai over the disputed incident.

The controversy followed Monday’s protest by members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), who gathered at the Lagos State Government premises in Alausa to demand the implementation of approved pension increases, wage awards, payment of arrears and other outstanding retirement benefits.

Several reports published after the protest alleged that police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the elderly protesters. Premium Times, Vanguard, The Guardian and other news organisations reported that tear gas was used during the demonstration. (Premium Times Nigeria)

However, the Lagos Police Command has strongly rejected the allegation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the reports as “false and misleading”, insisting that no tear-gas canister was fired throughout the protest.

The police said approximately 500 pensioners participated in the demonstration, which began at about 8:30am on Monday, August 31, and was led by NUP Lagos chairman Michael Omishade and Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson Agnes Funmi Sesse. (Punch)

According to the command, officers from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Taskforce, Eko Strike Force and various divisional headquarters were deployed to maintain law and order and protect the protesters and other members of the public.

The police said the security operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

The command further stated that the protesters were addressed by the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, after which the NUP executives proceeded to an indoor meeting at the Governor’s Conference Hall.

The meeting reportedly lasted about three hours, while the protesters later dispersed peacefully at about 4:30pm. The police said the area remained calm and that no adverse incident was recorded.

The command also challenged the authenticity of a photograph circulated on social media that purportedly showed security personnel tear-gassing the pensioners.

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According to the police, the photograph was AI-generated and did not represent what happened at the protest venue. The command urged the public to be cautious about sharing unverified material capable of creating tension or undermining confidence in security agencies.

Despite the police denial, the #EndBadGovernance movement in Lagos has maintained its allegation and called for the immediate sack of Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai.

In a statement signed by Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji and Hassan Taiwo Soweto, the movement described the alleged treatment of the elderly protesters as an “unpardonable assault” and demanded the arrest and prosecution of police personnel allegedly involved.

The group also demanded an unreserved public apology from the Lagos State Government and urged the administration to resolve the pensioners’ grievances over pension adjustments, wage awards, arrears and other outstanding entitlements.

The movement argued that retirees who spent decades serving the state should not be subjected to force while demanding benefits they believe are legitimately owed to them.

It also accused the Lagos State Police Command of what it described as a recurring pattern of alleged assaults on civil liberties, linking Monday’s controversy to an earlier January 28 anti-eviction protest in Alausa.

According to the movement, police officers allegedly used tear gas and excessive force during that protest, while some protesters were arrested and their belongings seized.

The group said the alleged treatment of pensioners showed what it described as a broader pattern of using police force against citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

The #EndBadGovernance movement therefore called on Amnesty International, human rights organisations and other concerned citizens to investigate what it described as a dangerous erosion of civil liberties in Lagos.

It also demanded the establishment of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the conduct of the Lagos State Police Command in managing public protests and demonstrations from August 1, 2024, to date.

The proposed panel, according to the group, should examine allegations of police violence, arrests, intimidation, tear-gas deployment and other forms of excessive force, including the January 28 protest and Monday’s demonstration by pensioners.

It further called for any officers or authorities found responsible for violations to face appropriate disciplinary or criminal sanctions.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) have also called for the removal and prosecution of the Lagos police commissioner over the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees.

The groups accused the police of using force against elderly citizens who were demanding payment of outstanding pension adjustments, wage awards and other benefits. (Sahara Reporters)

Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, also condemned the alleged use of tear gas against the pensioners and called for the identification, arrest, investigation and prosecution of officers allegedly responsible.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has similarly called for action over reports that police officers used tear gas during the demonstration, demanding that the officers allegedly involved be identified and prosecuted.

The controversy is rooted in a longstanding disagreement between some Lagos pensioners and the state government over the implementation of pension increases, consequential adjustments, wage awards and payment of arrears.

The retirees had reportedly given the Lagos State Government an August 31 deadline to address some of their outstanding demands before staging Monday’s demonstration. (Vanguard News)

The Lagos State Government has, however, defended its record on pension matters.

The government said the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) had paid N168.2 billion to more than 48,000 retirees since the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.

It also said that between May 2019 and August 2026, about N92 billion had been disbursed in accrued rights to more than 25,000 retirees.

The government has described its pension record as one of the strongest in the history of Lagos State and said it remains committed to the welfare of retired public servants.

The retirees, however, continue to insist that specific pension adjustments, wage awards and arrears remain unresolved.

The conflicting accounts over Monday’s protest have now shifted the focus from the pensioners’ demands to the conduct of the security personnel deployed at the scene.

While multiple reports said tear gas was used against the protesters, the police have categorically denied firing any tear gas and have disputed the authenticity of a widely circulated photograph supporting the allegation. (Premium Times Nigeria)

The competing claims make an independent investigation potentially significant in determining exactly what happened during the protest and whether any police officers used excessive force.

For the pensioners, however, the underlying dispute remains their demand for the implementation and payment of retirement benefits they say are outstanding.

With civil society groups demanding the removal of the Lagos Commissioner of Police, prosecution of officers allegedly involved and an independent inquiry into the handling of protests, pressure is mounting on authorities to provide a clear account of Monday’s events.

The controversy also renews wider concerns over police conduct, peaceful protest and civil liberties in Lagos, particularly the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Lagos police deny tear-gassing pensioners as #EndBadGovernance demands CP’s sack

Police Arrest Two Men Over Alleged Defilement of 9-Year-Old in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two men, Victor Obilor and Kabiru Umar, over the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl and indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl in the state.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two men, Victor Obilor and Kabiru Umar, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of two minors in the state. The suspects were taken into custody following reports received by the police concerning the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl and indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl, incidents that have sparked widespread outrage among residents and child rights advocates in the state. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, detectives visited the scene following the reports and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences. The command confirmed that the two suspects were subsequently arrested and detained in connection with the allegations, and they remain in custody as the investigation continues to unfold. The victims were taken to a hospital for medical examination as part of the ongoing investigation, a standard procedure in such cases to gather medical evidence that can be used in court proceedings. The police did not disclose further details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences or the relationship between the suspects and the victims, citing the sensitive nature of the case and the need to protect the privacy of the minors involved. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, where detectives are continuing with the investigation. The command stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further updates would be provided as the case progresses through the legal system.

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The arrest of Obilor and Umar adds to a concerning pattern of defilement cases that have been reported across Ogun State in recent months, raising alarm about the safety of minors in the state. In a separate incident, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man identified simply as Daniel for allegedly drugging and defiling a 15-year-old girl in Ogun State. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, the suspect allegedly drugged the girl with a malt drink laced with an unknown substance, causing her to lose consciousness, before allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent, a particularly egregious act that has drawn widespread condemnation. The victim was conveyed to the Olukoye Ransome-Kuti Memorial Hospital, Asero, for medical examination, while the suspect was taken into custody, and the case was also transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation. In June 2026, detectives attached to Agbado Division of the Ogun State Police Command arrested a 32-year-old security guard, Abraham Aneka (also reported as Abraham Anelka) , over allegations of defilement, criminal intimidation, and attempted robbery involving a 16-year-old girl in the Abule-Ijoko area. According to police reports, the suspect allegedly accosted the victim on the night of June 9, 2026, while she was on her way home, creating a terrifying ordeal for the young girl. Armed with a locally made single-barrelled firearm, he allegedly threatened her before forcibly taking her to his residence, where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behaviour targeting vulnerable minors. A single-barrelled, locally made firearm allegedly used to threaten the victim was recovered from the suspect, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. The victim was issued a medical form and taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment, and the case was transferred to the SCID, Eleweran, for comprehensive investigation. Other cases reported include the arrest of Saliu Akinwande, 50, over allegations of defiling an 11-year-old girl in the Agbado area, and a 42-year-old Muslim cleric, Alfa Funmilayo Fatai, arrested for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in the Kara area of Ibafo. A 65-year-old clergyman, Timothy Adedibu, was also arrested for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl in Magboro, further highlighting the disturbing trend of sexual violence against minors in the state.

Reacting to the earlier June 2026 incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, especially offences against minors, sending a clear message that such crimes would not be tolerated in the state. He assured residents that the Command will ensure diligent prosecution and justice in line with extant laws, demonstrating the police force’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. The CP further urged parents, guardians, and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report cases of abuse, violence, or suspicious activity to the nearest police formation, assuring that all reports will be treated with urgency and professionalism, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in combating these crimes.

Under Nigerian law, anyone found guilty of defilement faces severe penalties. Legal practitioners have noted that the offence of defilement is a felony, and conviction carries a punishment of life imprisonment, a sentence that reflects the gravity of the crime and the lasting trauma inflicted on young victims. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and various state criminal laws provide for stringent punishments for sexual offences against minors, creating a legal framework designed to protect children from sexual abuse and ensure that perpetrators face the full force of the law.

Police Arrest Two Men Over Alleged Defilement of 9-Year-Old in Ogun

Lagos Govt Warns Husbands: Forcing Sex on Wife Can Lead to Life Imprisonment

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to husbands, stating that forcing sex on a wife without her consent can lead to life imprisonment under the state’s criminal law, even though such an act is not legally classified as rape within marriage.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr Babajide Martins, gave this warning during a press briefing to kick off the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month on Monday, August 31, 2026. The announcement was part of a broader campaign by the state government to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence and encourage victims to seek legal protection, marking the beginning of a month-long initiative focused on combating gender-based violence across the state.

Responding to questions about whether a married woman could take legal action against her husband for having sex with her without consent, the DPP provided a crucial legal clarification. He explained that while Nigerian law does not recognise forced sex between spouses as marital rape, the Lagos State Criminal Law provides for the offence of “sexual assault by penetration,” which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. This distinction is significant because it means that although a husband cannot be charged with rape under the law, he can still face the same severe penalty under a different legal provision, effectively closing what might otherwise appear to be a loophole in the law.

The DPP drew a distinction based on the state of the marriage, explaining that the legal interpretation depends on the relationship between the spouses at the time of the incident. “Under Lagos State criminal law, a man cannot be accused of raping his wife if they are together and are in good terms,” he explained. However, he stressed that the situation changes when the couple is estranged or in disagreement, emphasizing that the breakdown of marital harmony removes any presumption of consent. “Once there is an issue between them and the wife refuses to have sex with him, the husband cannot force her. If the husband forces her and the wife reports him, we will not charge him for rape but for sexual assault by penetration, and the punishment is life imprisonment,” Martins stated, making it clear that the law provides robust protection for women even within the context of marriage.

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This legal interpretation was further clarified by Professor Akeem Olajide Bello during a University of Lagos inaugural lecture in April 2026, adding academic weight to the DPP’s position. He explained that while Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State retains the traditional spousal exemption in rape, Section 261 introduces the broader offence of sexual assault by penetration without such exemption, creating a legal framework that effectively criminalizes non-consensual sex within marriage under a different name. The implication, he noted, is that although a husband cannot technically be convicted of raping his wife under the law, he may nonetheless be convicted of sexual assault by penetration—an offence that carries the same penalty of life imprisonment. Section 261 defines sexual assault by penetration as the sexual penetration of the anus, vagina, mouth, or any other opening in the body of another person with any body part or object, without consent, and is punishable by life imprisonment, ensuring that the punishment fits the gravity of the offence.

The DPP also addressed the misconception that the payment of a bride price or dowry gives a husband a right to his wife’s body, a belief that persists in many communities across Nigeria. “Any man that feels because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him for domestic violence, the wife should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency,” he warned, challenging deeply ingrained cultural norms that have historically justified violence against women. He emphasized that being married does not give a man the right to force his wife into sexual relations, especially when there is a disagreement between them, reinforcing the principle that consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time.

While Lagos State has taken this strong stance against non-consensual sex within marriage, the conversation around marital rape remains complex at the federal level, reflecting the broader legal and cultural debates occurring across the country. The Criminal Code Act (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and Penal Code Act (applicable in Northern Nigeria) define rape with some provisions that have traditionally excluded marital rape, creating a patchwork of legal protections that vary depending on where one lives. However, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act of 2015 defines the offence of rape without an exception for marital rape, offering more expansive protection, though its application depends on state adoption, meaning that not all Nigerians benefit from this progressive legislation. Legal experts note that consent must be voluntary, informed, and ongoing, and that marriage, previous sexual relations, or dating do not amount to automatic consent for future sexual activity, a principle that is increasingly being recognized in courts across the country.

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The press briefing marked the beginning of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, an annual campaign aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging victims to report abuse, and strengthening support for survivors. The 2026 campaign is themed “SGBV — It Ends With Us” , a powerful statement of intent that signals the government’s determination to tackle gender-based violence head-on and create a society where such abuse is no longer tolerated. The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed that between September 2021 and July 2026, the DSVA received 33,009 domestic and sexual violence-related cases, a staggering number that underscores the scale of the problem facing the state. Domestic violence accounted for the highest number at 13,515 cases, representing 75.5 percent of reported assaults among adults, making it the most common form of abuse reported to the agency. Other cases recorded included 1,171 cases of defilement, 797 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment cases, and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration, painting a comprehensive picture of the various forms of violence affecting residents of Lagos State. One of the most disturbing findings was the identification of 10,613 children who suffered emotional abuse as a result of exposure to domestic violence in their homes, highlighting the devastating intergenerational impact of domestic violence on families.

The data revealed significant patterns in domestic violence reporting, providing valuable insights that can inform prevention and intervention strategies. 35 percent of survivors experienced domestic violence within the first five years of marriage, suggesting that the early years of marriage are a particularly vulnerable period for women. 30 percent of women who reported domestic violence were pregnant when the abuse occurred, a terrifying statistic that points to the heightened risk faced by pregnant women. 76 percent of alleged perpetrators are either employed or self-employed, challenging the notion that domestic violence is limited to families facing economic hardship and demonstrating that abuse cuts across all socioeconomic strata. 90 percent of survivors reported psychological consequences including low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, extreme fear, and anxiety, revealing the deep and lasting mental health impact of domestic violence. Women constitute the overwhelming majority of reporters, accounting for 88 percent, while men represent 12 percent, a pattern that reflects the gendered nature of domestic violence and the greater vulnerability of women to such abuse.

The Lagos State government restated its commitment to strengthening systems for prevention, early intervention, protection, access to justice, rehabilitation, and support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to tackling the problem. Key achievements and support services provided include over 711 cases taken to court, resulting in more than 160 convictions, demonstrating the government’s determination to hold perpetrators accountable. 175 survivors have received free legal assistance, ensuring that even those without financial resources can access justice. 953 survivors, 267 perpetrators, and 304 children have received psychological support, recognizing the importance of mental health services in the healing process. 501 rescue operations involving people considered to be at high risk have been conducted, saving lives and preventing further harm. 20 restraining orders have been obtained, providing legal protection for survivors. 464 SGBV-related cases have been financially supported for investigation and prosecution, ensuring that cases are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On prevention, the DSVA has reached an estimated 1.96 million residents across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas through community sensitisation, market campaigns, school outreach, and engagements with Community Development Associations, a massive public education effort aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors. More than 60,000 educators, parents, and caregivers have been trained through the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Online Course, building capacity to identify and respond to abuse. The agency is also strengthening prevention by training marriage registrars, religious marriage counsellors, and customary court officials to identify warning signs early and promote healthier relationships, intervening before abuse can occur. More than 466 religious marriage counsellors have completed the Lagos State Religious Premarital Counselling Online Course, equipping them to advise couples on healthy relationships and consent.

The DPP urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to report such cases to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for appropriate action, emphasizing that help is available and that the law is on their side. The agency has established Gender-Based Violence Desks in every Local Government in Lagos State to enable people to report cases of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring that support is accessible in every community. Residents can also report cases through the DSVA toll-free line 0800-0333-333, providing a confidential and accessible channel for seeking help.

Lagos Govt Warns Husbands: Forcing Sex on Wife Can Lead to Life Imprisonment