Police Urgently Deploy Bomb Experts, Tactical Units to Lagos Schools After Threat Scare
- Police authorities ordered permanent deployment of officers to certain private schools in Lagos after anonymous WhatsApp threats
- Security agencies conducted a detailed sweep of affected school premises and declared them safe after finding no hazardous materials
- Private school operators have called for heightened vigilance while receiving assurances from the Lagos State Government on student safety
Heightened security has been put in place around select private schools in Ikeja after threats circulated online triggered concern among parents and school managers and led to temporary closures.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the permanent deployment of police officers to some schools in the state's capital, Ikeja, following reports of threatening WhatsApp messages sent from an unidentified number.
Source: Facebook
The alerts prompted swift action by school authorities and security agencies.
Lagos police declare schools safe
In a post on its official social page, the Lagos State Police Command later said it had neutralised the threat after a comprehensive security operation. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, the command confirmed that the schools were safe for academic and administrative activities.
According to the police, representatives of both schools reported the threatening messages at the Ikeja Divisional Headquarters on Tuesday at about 4.00 pm. The messages were traced to the same unknown sender.
The statement reads:
"The Lagos State Police Command has once again demonstrated its commitment to the protection of lives and property following a swift, intelligence-led response to a security threat directed at some prominent private schools in Ikeja. On Tuesday, 21st January, 2026, at about 16:00 hrs, the Human Resources Manager and the Chief Security Officer of both schools, situated within Ikeja, independently reported to Ikeja Divisional Headquarters that they received distress WhatsApp messages from the same unknown number."
Specialised units, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear team, the Rapid Response Squad and other tactical personnel, were deployed to the affected premises.
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The police said a detailed sweep of classrooms, offices, halls, playgrounds and surrounding areas found no explosive or hazardous materials.
Adebisi added:
" Upon receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, immediately mobilised and personally led a team of police operatives, including a team of experts from the Command's Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and other tactical teams, to the school premises for on-the-spot assessment and security reinforcement."
The commissioner of police also directed investigators to trace and arrest those behind the messages. The command confirmed that officers had been stationed permanently at the affected schools to provide round-the-clock security.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, as the police reaffirmed their commitment to public safety across Lagos State.
Police ban Egungun festival in Lagos
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Lagos State Police Command had stopped plans for an Egungun festival allegedly scheduled by a group identified as Oje Parapo of Oregun.
The command said the planned event was not approved and had already caused fear among residents after handbills and online posts circulated warnings restricting public movement.
Source: Legit.ng
