Police dismiss school attack scare in Lagos, tighten security

The Lagos State Police Command has moved to calm fears over reports of a purported threat against a school, assuring residents that there is no credible intelligence pointing to an impending attack on any educational institution in the state.

The reassurance followed the circulation of reports alleging that a notice had been pasted at a school, warning of a planned invasion by bandits and the abduction of pupils.

In response, the police said they had taken the matter seriously and immediately activated security measures aimed at preventing any possible breach of public safety. Security presence has also been reinforced in key locations across the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer,  Abimbola Adebisi, the Command urged parents, guardians, school administrators and residents not to succumb to fear, stressing that investigations and preventive actions were already underway.

The statement read: “The Lagos State Police Command has seen reports of a threatening notice allegedly pasted at a school, claiming that bandits intend to attack and abduct school children.

“The Command wishes to reassure parents, guardians, school authorities, and all residents that there is presently no verified intelligence indicating any imminent threat of such an attack within Lagos State.

“While every security concern is treated with the utmost seriousness, members of the public are advised to remain calm and avoid panic.”

According to the Command, Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai directed an immediate review of the situation and ordered enhanced security operations in the affected area as well as other sensitive locations across Lagos.

The statement added: “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, has directed immediate assessment of the situation and ordered watertight security measures across the affected area and other strategic locations within the State.

“Police personnel, in collaboration with other security agencies, have been deployed to ensure the safety of schools, critical infrastructure, and communities.”

Police authorities maintained that Lagos remains secure and warned criminal elements against any attempt to disrupt public peace or spread fear among residents.

The statement said: “The Command wishes to emphasise that Lagos State remains secure and that every lawful measure is being taken to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating or operating within the State.

“The Command will not tolerate any attempt by miscreants, bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements to threaten the peace and safety of residents.

“Any individual or group found engaging in acts capable of causing fear, panic, or insecurity will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The Command also appealed to residents to remain alert and continue to support security agencies by providing useful and timely information. It noted that safeguarding lives and property requires cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.

Residents were encouraged to promptly report suspicious persons, unusual movements, objects or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency channels.

Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the police stated: “The public is once again assured that all hands are on deck to ensure the continued safety, security, and well-being of every resident of Lagos State.”