The Lagos State Police Command has cautioned members of the public against circulating unverified security information after anonymous messages caused 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 by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi. The alert followed reports that the schools received messages claiming that improvised explosive devices had been planted within their premises.
Adebisi explained that the Human Resources Manager and the 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 phone number at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
“The reports were made about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday after they received threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified phone number.
“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,” she said.
According to the police, a comprehensive security operation was carried out by EOD-CBRN experts, who thoroughly searched all sections of the school environments.
“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,” Adebisi stated.
The spokesperson said the commissioner condemned the dissemination of false information and ordered an intensified investigation aimed at identifying and arresting those responsible for the threat messages.
She added that combined teams of police operatives have been permanently deployed to the schools to guarantee round-the-clock security for students, staff and school facilities.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property across Lagos State, Adebisi urged parents, guardians and the general public to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
Following the anonymous threats, the two schools located in Ikeja GRA temporarily asked students to remain at home as a precautionary measure. Parents were contacted and advised to keep their wards at home until security agencies confirmed that the environment was safe.
