Police officers on Monday reportedly fired tear gas at protesting pensioners demanding payment of outstanding entitlements at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Ikeja.
The pensioners, who gathered peacefully at the Assembly complex, were protesting alleged delays in the payment of their outstanding benefits after years of service to the Lagos State Government.
The action reportedly triggered tension at the venue as the retirees, many of them elderly citizens, were dispersed with tear gas while pressing their demands.
The pensioners have been seeking the implementation of outstanding pension adjustments and payment of benefits they say remain due to them.
The development has drawn condemnation from human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who described the treatment of the retirees as cruel and unacceptable.
Sowore said it was unacceptable for pensioners who were peacefully demanding their legitimate entitlements to be subjected to tear gas.
He called for the identification, arrest, investigation and prosecution of the police officers responsible for the action, saying the retirees deserved dignity and respect rather than what he described as brutality.