By Professor Ishaq Akintola

‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the teargas attack on retired workers of the Lagos State Government protesting against the delay in the payment of their pensions yesterday. The Islamic human rights organization demanded apology for the irrational attack. It also called upon the state government to expedite action in the settlement of their entitlements.

‎This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 1st September, 2026 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎”Angry pensioners held a protest at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, Monday, 31st August, 2026 to show their grievances over long delay of payment of their entitlements, including unpaid pension increases, wage awards and other outstanding benefits.

‎”The protest was organized by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

‎”But the protest took an unexpected turn when teargas was fired at the senior citizens forcing them to flee the premises.

‎”We strongly condemn the use of teargas on non-violent protesters, least of all senior citizens many of whom are frail and vulnerable. It was most reckless, unprofessional and lacking in all forms of civility.

‎‎”We therefore demand unreserved apology from the state police command. People who have served the state government in their prime with all their strength and intellect deserve to be treated with respect and dignity at retirement.

‎”In the same vein, we charge the state government to expedite action on the settlement of all their entitlements. It is the height of wickedness and insensitivity to procrastinate in the matter of giving pensioners their due”.

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).