…CAUTIONS AGAINST MISINFORMATION
By Okosun Dennis
Panic spread in two Secondary Schools on Thursday as threats of bomb were reported following whatsapp messages received by staff of the schools.
As a result, the Police Command and the military authorities immediately deployed personnel to comb the schools with a view to preventing any explosion.
Unfortunately, no bomb were found after men of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police confirmed there were no bomb found or detected in the school premises.
In a sweeping response, the Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, issued a statement dismissing as false a bomb threat purportedly sent to the two private schools located at the Ikeja Government Reservation Area (GRA).
It dismissed that after a comprehensive sweeping of the premises, no explosive device were found.
When our correspondent visited one of the schools located at GRA, three police Hilux vehicles were packed outside the premises. The school was deserted as students were asked not to come to school the previous day.
However, a man standing outside the gate of the school, when confronted refused to comment on the developing scenario. However, another man that spoke with our correspondent said “we are not sure of the bomb threat. But you can see the police vehicles packed. We just saw them arrived but not sure exactly if it is true or not.
“We are only calling on the government and individuals to step up security consciousness within their dwelling places. Developments like this is not pleasant to the development of the nation. However, when one of the security men, who was controlling vehicular movements was asked to comment, he also declined.
It was learnt that about 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th January, 2026, the Human Resources Manager and the Chief Security Officer of the schools (names withheld) separately reported at the Ikeja Divisional Headquarters that they had received threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unknown number, alleging that explosive devices had been planted within the school compounds.
The scenario threw up panic leading to the school authority immediately imposing a forced closure of the school on Wednesday.
At the moment, it was gathered police detectives from the Lagos State Police Command have launched a decreet investigation to unearth the source of the bomb threat message with a view to apprehending the originator of the message for prosecution.
It was also learnt that immediately the threat was reported, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, personally led a team of operatives, including personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear EOD-CBRN Unit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other tactical units, to the affected schools for an on-the-spot assessment, on Wednesday.
In a very swift response, it was gathered that the military authority at the 9 Brigade, Taoreed Lagbaja Cantonment took the bull by the horns and deployed personnel to the two schools. However, it was learnt that the Commander, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, personally visited the schools on Thursday.
However, on Thursday after ascertaining facts on ground, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, released a statement saying that “A painstaking and comprehensive sweep of the entire school environment, including classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds and surrounding premises, was conducted by the EOD-CBRN experts to rule out the presence of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or any other dangerous or suspicious materials.
“The operation yielded no explosive or hazardous device, and the schools were consequently declared safe for continued academic and administrative activities.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the investigation be intensified to trace, identify and apprehend the sender(s) of the threat message with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the law, while combined teams of police personnel have been strategically deployed on a permanent basis to the affected schools to ensure round-the-clock safety of students, staff and school facilities.
“The Lagos State Police Command assures parents, guardians, school authorities and the general public that the Command remains proactive, responsive and fully committed to maintaining peace, safety and public order across the state.
“Members of the public are enjoined to remain calm and vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activity or security concern to the nearest police station or through emergency numbers: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870 and 09168630929”, she stated in the statement.
About The Author
