Two schools in Lagos — Grange School and Avi-Cenna School — have been temporarily shut down following reported threats of an explosion.
The schools announced the immediate suspension of academic activities after receiving separate threat messages, prompting concerns over the safety of students, staff, and parents. Both institutions communicated their decisions through official letters sent to parents and guardians.
In a letter signed by Paul Olubajo on behalf of Avi-Cenna School, the management disclosed that the school received a text message warning of a possible fire explosion. According to the statement, the school promptly alerted the police, who responded by deploying a specialised security unit to assess the situation.
Following a thorough inspection of the school premises, the police reportedly confirmed that there was no immediate danger. Despite this assurance, Avi-Cenna School announced that it would remain closed for the day as a precautionary measure.
The school management apologised for the inconvenience caused by the sudden closure, emphasising that the decision was taken in the best interest of safety. The letter noted that the school would continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and reiterated its commitment to protecting students, staff, and parents.
Similarly, Grange School announced that its campus would be closed on Thursday after receiving a related threat. In a statement signed by the school’s head, Richard McMahon, the management stated that although there was no indication of immediate danger, it was important to respond responsibly and cautiously.
Grange School explained that the temporary closure would allow time for full engagement with relevant authorities and ensure that all safety protocols were properly followed. However, the school confirmed that learning would continue through online classes during the closure period, subject to each teacher’s discretion. Parents were informed that they would be contacted directly if an online lesson was scheduled.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the reported threats had been neutralised. In a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, the command disclosed that a team of security operatives was deployed to the affected schools under the leadership of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh.
The response team included personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, as well as officers from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). The police carried out a comprehensive sweep of the school environments, covering classrooms, administrative offices, halls, playgrounds, and surrounding areas.
According to the police, no Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or other hazardous materials were found during the operation. However, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full investigation to trace, identify, and apprehend the individual or individuals responsible for sending the threat messages.
Authorities have assured the public that security remains a top priority, while parents and guardians have been urged to remain calm as investigations continue.
