Threats of attack by unknown persons have forced two popular secondary schools in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, to send pupils home temporarily.
The threats were received by both schools on Tuesday, prompting a report to the Lagos State Police Command.
To ensure the safety of pupils and teachers, The Nation gathered that both schools contacted parents and told them to keep their wards at home over an alleged fire scare.
A parent whose children attend one of the schools confirmed that they have been at home, adding that the school told them there was an issue that needed resolution to prevent a fire outbreak.
“Yes, my kids have been home. We were told there is a fire scare or something that needs to be resolved, and so the children should stay home until it is solved.”
During a visit to the schools on Thursday, it was observed that specialised operatives from the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), other specialised units, and soldiers from the 9Brigade Nigerian Army were on the ground.
Residents confirmed that the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh was at the schools on Wednesday, adding that anti-bomb experts swept the entire premises to ensure there was no threat.
They also confirmed that the Brigade Commander and his soldiers visited the schools on Wednesday, adding that surveillance had continued since the threat was reported to the police.
Confirming the threat, the Lagos Police Command said an investigation was underway to fish out those behind the messages.
A statement by the spokesperson for the command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that anti-bomb experts swept the schools and no threats were discovered.
“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.
“Upon receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, immediately mobilised and personally led a team of police operatives, including 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.
“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, 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, vigilant, and continue with their lawful activities, while promptly reporting any suspicious activity or security concern to the nearest police station or through emergency numbers: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870 and 09168630929,” said the police command.
