The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man accused of triggering panic in parts of the state after allegedly sending bomb threat messages to schools in the Ikeja axis, raising fears among parents and school administrators.
According to the police, the suspect, identified as Kosiso Chukwem-Nenyem, was linked to a series of alarming WhatsApp messages claiming that explosive devices had been planted inside two schools located within the Ikeja Government Reserved Area.
Meanwhile, the command also announced a major breakthrough in its crime-fighting efforts, confirming the dismantling of a notorious one-chance robbery network. In that operation, 21 suspects were arrested across multiple locations in Lagos.
Explaining how the school incident unfolded, police authorities said the management teams of the affected schools independently approached the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters after receiving identical threat messages from the same phone number.
The reports, which came in around late afternoon on January 20, 2026, warned of imminent explosions within the school premises, prompting swift security concerns and emergency protocols.
Briefing journalists in Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, said the command immediately activated its emergency response. He noted that specialised units were deployed to prevent any potential loss of life.
“Our response was rapid and comprehensive. We mobilised explosive experts and counter-terrorism personnel to thoroughly secure the schools,” Jimoh said.
He added that operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, and other tactical teams carried out detailed searches of the premises.
“After an exhaustive sweep, no explosive devices were found, and the schools were confirmed safe for students and staff,” the police commissioner said.
However, investigations did not end there. Detectives traced the origin of the threatening messages to Chukwem-Nenyem, who resides in the Okota area of Lagos.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly claimed that his mobile phone had been missing for several weeks before the threats were issued. Nonetheless, police said digital and call-record analysis contradicted that explanation.
“Evidence showed that the line remained active and was in regular contact with family members during the same period,” Jimoh said, adding that the SIM card used to send the messages was eventually recovered from the suspect.
Hence, investigators concluded that the threats were deliberately issued to cause fear and disrupt normal academic activities, particularly among parents and school authorities.
The police commissioner stated that preliminary findings indicate the suspect acted alone and without external influence.
He confirmed that the case file is being prepared and that the suspect will be charged in court.
Jimoh also warned that the command would not tolerate acts capable of causing public panic, stressing that anyone attempting to undermine public safety would face the full weight of the law.