Tension gripped parts of Lagos on Thursday after fresh threats of violent attacks forced the temporary closure of some of the state’s most prestigious private schools in Ikeja, prompting the police to deploy armed officers permanently.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the immediate deployment of police personnel to Grange School and Greensprings School (Anthony Campus) following alarming security threats sent via WhatsApp by yet-to-be-identified persons.
The development sparked panic among parents and guardians after the schools separately announced emergency closures as a precautionary measure.
In a letter to parents dated January 21, 2026, the Head of Grange School, Richard McMahon, confirmed that the school would not open on Thursday due to what he described as a “security-related concern.”
“While there is no immediate danger, we have chosen to act responsibly by taking the matter seriously and putting all necessary safety measures in place,” the letter stated, adding that the decision was taken in the best interest of students and staff.
Similarly, the Anthony Campus of Greensprings School asked students who had already arrived on Thursday morning to return home as the school conducted a security assessment. Assessment examinations scheduled for later that day were abruptly cancelled, leaving parents and students in uncertainty over when normal academic activities would resume.
There were also indications that Avi-Cenna International School, located nearby in Ikeja, was considering a temporary shutdown amid the scare.
Police neutralise threat, declare schools safe
In a swift response, the Lagos State Police Command announced that it had neutralised the threat after conducting a comprehensive security sweep of the affected schools.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, both schools independently reported receiving distress messages from the same unknown WhatsApp number on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m.
Specialised police units, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, the Rapid Response Squad, and other tactical teams, were immediately deployed to the premises.
“A painstaking and comprehensive sweep of classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds, and surrounding areas was carried out to rule out the presence of improvised explosive devices or other hazardous materials,” the police said.
No explosives or suspicious objects were found, and the schools were subsequently declared safe for continued academic and administrative activities.
Permanent police presence ordered
To reassure parents and deter any future threats, the Commissioner of Police ordered the permanent deployment of combined police teams to the affected schools to ensure round-the-clock security.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains proactive and fully committed to protecting lives, property, and public order across the state,” the statement added, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Meanwhile, the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) called on schools to heighten security measures, stating that it had received assurances from the Lagos State Government that the situation was under control.
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