By Desire Emmanuel
There was panic in the Ikeja area of Lagos State following two WhatsApp messages from a hidden number which indicated that explosive devices have been planted inside two private schools in the area.
The messages prompted men of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and other operatives of the Lagos State Police Command to race to the schools (names withheld).
It was gathered that on Wednesday, January 21 around 4:00 p.m., the Human Resources Manager and the Chief Security Officer of both schools reported at the Ikeja Divisional Headquarters that they received WhatsApp messages from the same unknown number about the threat.
According to reports, after receiving the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, was said to have mobilised and personally led a team of police operatives, including a team of experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other tactical teams, to the school premises for on-the-spot assessment and security reinforcement.
The team was said to have conducted what the command described as “painstaking and comprehensive” sweep of the entire school environments, including classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds and surrounding premises.
However, the operatives did not find any explosive or hazardous device, and the schools were consequently declared safe for continued academic and administrative activities.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the investigation be intensified to trace, identify and apprehend the sender(s) of the threat message with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the law.
“A combined teams of police personnel have been deployed on a permanent basis to the affected schools to ensure round-the-clock safety of students, staff, and school facilities,” the command said in a statement on Thursday, January 22.
