Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Lagos State Police Command has moved swiftly to reassure residents and the education community after a reported security threat targeting prominent private schools in Ikeja, underscoring renewed concerns about public safety and the growing use of digital platforms to issue threats. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, prompted an immediate, intelligence-driven response by the police, culminating in a comprehensive security sweep that confirmed the schools were safe and free of explosives or other hazardous devices.
According to official accounts, the alarm was raised at about 4:00 p.m. when the Human Resources Manager and the Chief Security Officer of two private schools located within the Ikeja area separately reported receiving distressing WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified phone number. The content of the messages suggested a potential threat to the safety of the school environments, triggering anxiety among administrators responsible for hundreds of students and staff members. The prompt reporting of the messages to the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters proved critical in activating emergency security protocols.
Upon receiving the reports, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered an immediate mobilisation of personnel and resources. In a move aimed at demonstrating command responsibility and restoring public confidence, the police chief personally led a high-level operational team to the affected schools. The response team included specialists from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear unit, as well as operatives from the Rapid Response Squad and other tactical formations of the command.
The presence of these specialised units reflected the seriousness with which the police treated the threat, particularly given the sensitivity of schools as public spaces and the vulnerability of children. Security operatives sealed off the premises and commenced a methodical and painstaking search of the entire environment. Classrooms, administrative offices, halls, hostels, playgrounds and surrounding areas were thoroughly examined in a bid to rule out the presence of improvised explosive devices or any suspicious materials that could endanger lives.
After hours of intensive inspection using advanced detection equipment and standard safety procedures, the EOD-CBRN experts concluded that there was no explosive or hazardous device on the premises. The schools were subsequently declared safe for continued academic and administrative activities. Students and staff who had been kept under controlled supervision during the operation were reassured, while school authorities expressed relief that the threat did not materialise into physical harm.
Police officials emphasised that the successful outcome of the operation was a testament to proactive policing, effective intelligence handling and cooperation between educational institutions and law enforcement agencies. The swift response, they noted, prevented panic from escalating and ensured that precautionary measures were taken before any potential risk could develop.
While confirming the safety of the schools, the Lagos State Police Command made it clear that the incident remains under active investigation. The Commissioner of Police has directed detectives and cybercrime specialists to intensify efforts to trace the origin of the threatening WhatsApp messages. Investigators are working to identify and apprehend the individual or group responsible, with the intention of prosecuting them in accordance with Nigerian law. Authorities described the act as a serious security breach that could have caused widespread fear and disruption, even in the absence of an actual explosive device.
To further reassure parents, guardians and school administrators, the command has deployed combined teams of police personnel to the affected schools on a permanent basis. These officers are tasked with providing round-the-clock security, monitoring access points, and responding rapidly to any emerging concerns. The enhanced security presence is expected to remain in place as investigations continue and as a preventive measure against similar threats.
The incident has reignited broader conversations about security in educational institutions, particularly in major urban centres such as Lagos, where schools are increasingly viewed as soft targets for criminal threats and hoaxes. Security analysts note that while many such threats turn out to be false alarms, each must be treated with utmost seriousness due to the potentially catastrophic consequences of complacency. They also warn that the misuse of digital communication tools to spread fear poses new challenges for law enforcement, requiring improved cyber-tracking capabilities and public awareness.
Parents whose children attend schools in Ikeja expressed mixed emotions following the police announcement. Many welcomed the decisive action taken by the authorities, while others called for even stronger preventive measures, including tighter access control, surveillance systems and regular security drills. School administrators echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for continued collaboration with security agencies to ensure the safety of learning environments.
In its public advisory, the Lagos State Police Command assured residents that it remains proactive, responsive and fully committed to protecting lives and property across the state. The command urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, to go about their lawful activities without fear, and to promptly report any suspicious activity or security concern to the nearest police station or through designated emergency lines. Officials stressed that timely information from the public is often the first line of defence in preventing crime and maintaining public order.
The episode in Ikeja, though resolved without physical harm, serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of security threats and the importance of preparedness. For now, normal academic activities have resumed at the affected schools under heightened police protection, while investigators continue their work behind the scenes. As Lagos grows as a global megacity with a dense population and complex security needs, authorities insist that vigilance, cooperation and rapid response will remain central to keeping residents safe and preserving public confidence.
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