By Ayo Kehinde
Academic activities at two of Lagos’s leading private educational institutions, Avi-Cenna International School and Grange School, were disrupted on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following targeted threats of an explosion.
The development prompted an immediate security response from the Lagos State Police Command to secure the premises and restore calm.
The alarm was raised after the schools received threatening messages via WhatsApp from an unidentified source on Wednesday afternoon.
Taking no chances, the management of Avi-Cenna International School announced a temporary suspension of physical classes in a letter to parents.
They confirmed that the police had deployed a specialized unit to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the facility.
While the school remained closed for the day as a precaution, administrators emphasized that the safety of the students was the primary driver of the decision.
Similarly, Grange School in Ikeja GRA moved its classes online for the day.
Head of School, Richard McMahon, informed parents that while there was no immediate danger found, the institution chose to act responsibly by allowing security agencies to conclude their assessments.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a high-powered security team to the affected schools.
The operation included experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, as well as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
Police Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the search yielded no hazardous materials.
“A painstaking and comprehensive sweep of classrooms, administrative offices, and playgrounds was conducted, and we can confirm that the premises are safe,” Adebisi stated.
Commissioner Jimoh has since ordered an intensified investigation to track the digital footprint of the threat and apprehend the senders.
As an additional measure, the command has strategically deployed police personnel on a permanent basis to the schools to ensure round-the-clock safety for staff and students.
