The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Kosisochukwu Ogumbo of the Okota area for allegedly sending bomb threat messages to two schools in the Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA) last week.
The Command also confirmed the arrest of eight additional members of a notorious “one chance” robbery syndicate, alongside the recovery of four operational vehicles allegedly used by the gang to rob unsuspecting residents across Lagos.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
According to him, at about 4:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026, the Human Resources Manager and Chief Security Officer of the affected schools separately reported to the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters that they had received threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified phone number.
The messages claimed that explosive devices had been planted within the school premises.
Following the reports, security operatives were immediately deployed to the area, including personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), and other tactical squads, to secure the schools and assess the threat.
He said, “After a thorough sweep of the premises, no explosive device was found and the schools were immediately declared safe. Police investigations led to the arrest of Kosiso Chukwuem-Nenyem, a resident of Okota, identified as the sender of the threat messages.”
The Police boss added that although the suspect claimed he lost his phone in November 2025, police investigations revealed he continued to receive calls from family members during the period the threats were issued. The SIM card was also recovered from him.
“This individual acted alone and deliberately attempted to cause panic among parents and school authorities. He will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the CP stated.
In other developments, the CP said the latest arrests of eight more members of ‘one chance’ bring the total number of suspects apprehended in connection with the syndicate to 21, adding that the gang had been fully dismantled, and that the breakthrough was a result of sustained intelligence-led policing and cooperation from members of the public.
He described the gang as a “double-edged” criminal network, explaining that victims who complied were robbed and released, while those who resisted were detained and their families contacted for ransom under the guise of kidnapping.
“They are a double-edged sword criminal gang. If you cooperate with them, they take what you have and let you go. If you resist, they detain you and contact your family to demand ransom,” he said.
The commissioner added that the suspects also took victims to a shrine in the Idimu area of the state, where they were forced to swear oaths, while some were deceived with promises of dollar investment schemes.
“All the suspects have confessed to the crime. Some victims have also come forward to identify them. Investigation is ongoing, and they will be prosecuted accordingly,” he added
Among the 25 recovered vehicles linked to different offenses, including robbery, fraud, and theft, was a Toyota Camry 2007 model with registration number ABJ 582 LB, reportedly stolen in the early hours of January 25, 2026, after the owner left the engine running while entering a supermarket.
The suspect, Jaffon Godswill, was subsequently arrested, and the vehicle was recovered the following day during a stop-and-search operation in the area.
He added that operatives of the command intercepted three suspected vandals who removed 154 electronic reflective markers from the Third Mainland Bridge during patrol operations.
In addition, the police boss announced the strengthening of the School Protection Squad, established by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to cover Lagos East, West, and Central districts.
Headquarters are located at Ikorodu (East), Idimu (West), and Lion Building, Lagos Island (Central).
The CP also disclosed the deployment of Eko-Strike Force, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and a newly established Nightlife Patrol Squad to secure entertainment hubs, hotels, and recreational centres across Lagos.
“The entire Lagos State is safe. Residents, investors, and visitors are encouraged to go about their lawful activities without fear”, he said.
He commended officers and men of the Command for their dedication and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and investments in Lagos State.
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