By John Umeh
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that no explosive device was found in two private schools located in the Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA) following a bomb threat that caused panic and forced the temporary shutdown of the institutions.
Police authorities described the threat as false, assuring parents, school operators and the public that the schools are safe after a thorough security operation.
According to police findings, the alarm was raised at about 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when the Human Resources Manager and Chief Security Officer of the affected schools separately reported at the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters. They disclosed that they had received threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified phone number, claiming that explosives had been planted within the school premises.
The messages sparked fear among staff and parents, leading to the closure of the schools from Wednesday as a precautionary measure.
In response, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a coordinated security operation to the schools on Wednesday. The team included officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other tactical formations.
A separate security visit was also carried out by the Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, who assessed the situation alongside other security stakeholders.
Confirming the outcome of the operation, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said specialists conducted an extensive search of the school environment.
She explained that classrooms, offices, halls, playgrounds and surrounding areas were carefully examined to rule out the presence of improvised explosive devices or any suspicious objects.
“The sweep yielded no explosive or hazardous materials. The schools have been declared safe for the resumption of academic and administrative activities,” she said.
SP Adebisi added that the police have intensified investigations to trace the origin of the threatening messages, noting that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the false alarm, who will be prosecuted in line with the law.
To prevent any further security concerns, she said police personnel have been permanently deployed to the affected schools to provide round-the-clock protection for students, staff and facilities.
The Lagos State Police Command urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, reassuring the public of its commitment to maintaining safety across the state. Members of the public were also encouraged to report any suspicious activity through the nearest police station or via the emergency numbers provided by the command.
