The Lagos State Police Command has cautioned residents against circulating unverified information after anonymous messages triggered a bomb scare at two private secondary schools in Ikeja
The warning was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, in a statement released on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi. The alert followed reports that the schools received messages alleging that improvised explosive devices had been planted on their premises.
According to the police, the Human Resources Manager and Chief Security Officer of the affected schools separately reported the incident to the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters after receiving threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified number at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
“Upon receiving the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, immediately mobilised a high-powered security team and personally led operatives to the schools for an on-the-spot assessment.
“The team comprised personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and other tactical units of the command,” Adebisi stated.
She explained that specialists from the EOD-CBRN unit carried out an extensive sweep of the school environments, covering classrooms, offices, halls, playgrounds and surrounding areas.
“The operation covered classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds, and surrounding areas to rule out the presence of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or other dangerous materials.
“No explosive or hazardous items were found, and the schools were subsequently declared safe for continued academic and administrative activities,” she said.
Adebisi noted that the commissioner condemned the spread of false information and ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the threat messages, with the aim of prosecuting them according to the law.
She added that combined teams of police officers have been permanently stationed at the schools to provide round-the-clock security for students, staff and facilities.
The police spokesperson reassured parents, school authorities and the general public of the command’s resolve to protect lives and property across Lagos State, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through official emergency lines.
Following the receipt of the anonymous threats, the two schools, located in Ikeja GRA, temporarily sent students home as a precautionary measure. Parents were contacted and advised to keep their children at home until security checks confirmed that the environment was safe.
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