DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

CDHR Condemns Tear-Gassing of Lagos Pensioners and Demands Payment of Arrears

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights condemned reports that security personnel used tear gas and force against pensioners protesting unpaid benefits at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
  • The group urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government to settle verified arrears and publish a clear, time-bound payment schedule.
  • CDHR also called for an investigation into the alleged teargassing and urged security agencies to show restraint during peaceful protests.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has condemned reports that Lagos pensioners were dispersed with tear gas while protesting unpaid pensions, gratuities and other entitlements at the state House of Assembly.

In a statement signed by National President Yinka Folarin and General Secretary Idris Afees, the group described the alleged treatment of the elderly demonstrators as “inhumane, unacceptable and a serious affront to human dignity.” It said the pensioners had gathered after years of service to the Lagos State Government to demand benefits they were owed.

Inhumane, unacceptable and a serious affront to human dignity.

— Committee for the Defence of Human RightsThe group described the alleged use of tear gas against elderly pension protesters.

CDHR urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to meet pensioner representatives directly and take practical steps to pay all verified outstanding pensions, gratuities and allowances. It also demanded a clear, transparent and time-bound schedule for settling the arrears.

Elderly men and women, who dedicated several years of their productive lives to the service of Lagos State, were reportedly dispersed with tear gas while exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest.

— Committee for the Defence of Human RightsCDHR characterized the reported police response to the demonstration.

The rights group called for an investigation into the reported use of tear gas and force, with the findings made public. It urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to act with restraint and professionalism when handling peaceful protests.

“Retired public servants are not criminals. Pension is not a favour, charity or privilege; it is a right and an entitlement earned through years of dedicated service,” CDHR said. The organisation warned that failing to address the pensioners’ grievances, or using force against them, could weaken public confidence and damage principles of social justice. It also appealed to human rights groups, labour unions and professional bodies to respond to the issue.

Retired public servants are not criminals. Pension is not a favour, charity or privilege; it is a right and an entitlement earned through years of dedicated service.

— Committee for the Defence of Human RightsThe organisation argued that pensioners were demanding benefits earned through public service.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog