Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the permanent deployment of police personnel to two prominent private schools in Ikeja following security threats sent by unknown persons, a development that briefly disrupted academic activities and heightened concerns over school safety in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The affected institutions, Grange School and Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, temporarily shut their gates earlier this week after their managements received threatening messages via WhatsApp from an unidentified number. The messages, which warned of possible attacks, were reported separately by officials of the two schools to the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters, prompting an immediate security response.
According to police authorities, the threats were reported on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, triggering swift action by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh. Acting on the reports, the police chief ordered the immediate mobilisation of tactical and specialised units to the schools to assess the situation and prevent any potential breach of security.
The police response involved a coordinated operation that included officers from the Rapid Response Squad as well as experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear unit. A comprehensive sweep of the school premises was carried out, covering classrooms, administrative blocks, halls, playgrounds and surrounding areas, to rule out the presence of improvised explosive devices or other suspicious materials.
Police officials said the painstaking search yielded no explosive or hazardous objects, and the schools were subsequently declared safe. Following the operation, the Commissioner of Police approved the permanent deployment of armed and unarmed officers to the two campuses to ensure continuous security coverage and reassure parents, students and staff.
The decision to station police personnel on a long-term basis reflects growing concern over threats to educational institutions and the need for proactive measures to deter criminal activity. In recent years, attacks on schools in parts of northern Nigeria, including mass abductions of students, have heightened nationwide sensitivity to any threat directed at learning environments, even in relatively secure urban centres such as Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command, the authorities emphasised that the deployment was part of broader efforts to maintain public order and protect lives and property across the state. The police said investigations had been intensified to trace the source of the threatening messages, identify the sender or senders, and bring those responsible to justice.
The command noted that cybercrime and anonymous threats have become increasingly common tools used to spread fear and disrupt normal activities. Officials stressed that while no physical danger was detected at the schools, the seriousness of the threats warranted a robust response to prevent panic and ensure that any potential risks were neutralised.
School authorities at both Grange School and Greensprings School had earlier announced temporary closures as a precautionary measure, citing the need to prioritise the safety of students and staff while security agencies assessed the situation. Parents were informed through internal communication channels, and many welcomed the decision as a responsible step in the face of uncertainty.
Following the police clearance and the deployment of officers, preparations were made for the resumption of academic activities. School officials said they were working closely with the police to review and strengthen internal security protocols, including access control, visitor management and emergency response procedures.
Parents and guardians expressed a mixture of relief and concern in reaction to the incident. While many praised the swift action of the police and the transparency of the school managements, others called for broader measures to address the ease with which anonymous threats can be issued and the anxiety they generate.
Security experts say the Ikeja incident underscores the importance of intelligence-led policing and rapid response in urban settings. They note that while Lagos has largely been spared the kind of large-scale school attacks seen elsewhere, its status as a densely populated мегacity makes vigilance essential.
The Lagos State Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious activity or security concerns to the nearest police station or through the state’s emergency numbers. Officials reiterated that public cooperation remains critical to preventing crime and maintaining peace.
Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding educational institutions, describing schools as critical spaces that must be protected from both physical threats and psychological intimidation. He said the police would not hesitate to deploy resources wherever credible threats emerge.
As investigations continue into the origin of the WhatsApp messages, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the threats may have been hoaxes intended to cause fear or disruption. However, police insist that every threat, regardless of its source, will be treated with utmost seriousness.
The episode has reignited conversations about school security in Lagos, with some stakeholders advocating for closer collaboration between private institutions and security agencies, as well as improved digital forensics capabilities to track anonymous online communications.
For now, the permanent presence of police officers at the affected schools stands as a visible reassurance to the community, signalling the resolve of the Lagos State Police Command to act decisively in the face of emerging threats and to ensure that learning continues in a safe and secure environment.
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