NUP Demands Probe Into Assault On Pensioners

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has demanded an investigation into the alleged assault and tear-gassing of protesting pensioners in Lagos State by officers of the Nigerian police. The senior citizens' union, while condemning what they described as the 'police brutality and assault', called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to identify the officer who ordered the action. Recall that the police officers in Lagos State last week fired tear gas canisters at pensioners who gathered at the Lagos House in Ikeja to protest unpaid pension increases, wage awards and other outstanding benefits. The retirees, drawn from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), had gone to the government premises to press the Lagos State Government to implement the increases and settle the arrears they said had accumulated. The situation became tense after police officers deployed tear gas, sending some of the protesters away from the premises – the action the police high command defended. Reacting to the incident via a statement, the national leadership of the union wondered why they would be attacked when they were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest. The statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Godwin Amadin, questioned why the police would deploy tear gas against senior citizens who, according to it, had spent their productive years contributing to the development of the Lagos State public service. The NUP said it was particularly concerned that pensioners who had allegedly been denied their legitimate entitlements and subjected to 'starvation, penury' and hardship were further confronted with what it described as intimidation and molestation while demanding their rights. It, therefore, called on the IGP to conduct a 'deep investigation' into the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine who authorised the action against the pensioners. The union asked: 'Who actually gave such an order to dehumanise pensioners, who caused no breach of peace and destroyed no life and property in the course of the peaceful protest?' The NUP also drew a comparison with a recent protest by retired police officers at the premises of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) over alleged non-payment of their post-service entitlements. It queried why the retired police officers were not subjected to similar treatment, asking, 'Why were those ex-police officers not tear-gassed?' According to the union, the question was central to its demand for justice and accountability over the Lagos incident, insisting that those responsible for the alleged assault must be brought to book. The NUP also reminded the police and other public institutions that 'a worker today is a pensioner tomorrow,' warning that the treatment meted out to pensioners today could have consequences for workers when they retire. Beyond the police action, the union renewed its call on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other governors owing pensioners outstanding gratuities and pensions to clear the arrears without further delay. The NUP said prompt payment of pensioners' entitlements would help prevent what it described as the 'incessant cases of avoidable embarrassment, molestation, intimidation and unnecessary harassment' of pensioners demanding their legitimate benefits.