Danger Alert!
Lagos Top Schools, Grange, Avi-Ceena Shutdown Over Bomb Scare, Fire Threat
… Parents Panic As School Goes Online, Police Brace up
Panic briefly gripped Lagos on Tuesday evening after bomb and fire explosion threats were sent to two of the state’s most prominent private schools, Grange School and Avi-Ceena School, both located in Ikeja forcing an immediate shutdown and emergency security response.
The threats, delivered via distress messages from an unknown number, triggered swift precautionary actions by the school authorities, who moved decisively to protect students, staff, and families while alerting law enforcement agencies.
Grange School, in a message personally signed by its Head of School, Richard McMahon, announced a temporary closure as a safety-first response to the security alert. The school stressed that while there was no immediate danger, it chose to act responsibly by suspending physical activities and engaging relevant authorities for guidance.
“The safety and well-being of our students, staff and families remain our highest priority,” the school stated, adding that some classes may hold online at the discretion of teachers.
Almost simultaneously, Avi-Ceena School confirmed receiving a text message threatening a fire explosion, noting that Grange School had received a similar alert. In a notice signed by Paul Olubajo, the school disclosed that the police were immediately contacted and swiftly deployed a special tactical unit to the premises.
Following a thorough security sweep, Avi-Ceena confirmed that the premises were safe but announced a precautionary closure for the day, pending further updates.
The situation escalated into a full-scale security operation as the Lagos State Police Command moved in with force and precision.
In a rare show of hands-on leadership, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led the emergency response, mobilising elite units including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and other tactical formations.
Police sources confirmed that a painstaking sweep of classrooms, administrative blocks, halls, playgrounds, and surrounding areas was carried out to detect any Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or hazardous materials. The operation found no explosives or suspicious devices, and both schools were declared safe.
CP Jimoh has since ordered a full-scale investigation to track down and arrest the sender(s) of the threat messages, vowing that those behind the scare will be brought to justice.
To prevent any further security breach, armed police personnel have been strategically deployed on a permanent basis around the affected schools to ensure round-the-clock protection of students, staff, and facilities.
The Lagos State Police Command reassured parents, guardians, and the general public of its unwavering commitment to safety and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, while promptly reporting suspicious activities through designated emergency lines.
Though normalcy is gradually returning, the incident has reignited concerns over school security in Lagos, underscoring the growing need for vigilance in an era of digital threats and anonymous intimidation.
