By Audu Ibrahim, Abuja
Human rights activist and presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged use of tear gas by the Nigeria Police Force against pensioners protesting at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Sowore, in a statement reacting to the incident, described the treatment of the protesting senior citizens as “cruel and degrading,” insisting that the pensioners were peacefully demanding payment of their legitimate post-retirement entitlements.
He said it was unacceptable for elderly Nigerians who had spent years serving the country to be subjected to what he described as police brutality while seeking benefits legally owed to them.
“It is bad enough that these senior citizens are being denied their legitimate post-retirement entitlements after giving years of their lives in service,” Sowore said.
He condemned the reported deployment of tear gas against the pensioners, warning that elderly people could be particularly vulnerable to the effects of chemical fumes.
According to him, exposing protesting pensioners to tear gas under such circumstances amounted to a grave assault that could have serious health consequences.
Sowore further called for the identification of the police officers allegedly involved in the incident, as well as their arrest and investigation.
He urged that any officer found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that the severity of any charges should be determined by the evidence gathered during the investigation.
The activist stressed that pensioners should be treated with dignity and respect, particularly when seeking legitimate entitlements after years of public service.
“Our pensioners deserve their entitlements, dignity, and respect, not brutality!” he declared.
The incident has renewed concerns over the handling of peaceful protests involving vulnerable groups and the need for security agencies to exercise restraint while managing demonstrations.
