Greensprings School in Lagos has clarified why one of its campuses shut down earlier than usual following reports of security threats targeting schools in the city.

Contrary to initial reports that grouped Greensprings among institutions directly threatened via WhatsApp by an unknown sender, the school said it never received any such message. Instead, it acted out of caution because of its closeness to schools that were allegedly targeted.

In a statement issued by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Chukwuemeka Anyiam-Osigwe, Greensprings explained that only its Anthony campus was affected by the decision. Other campuses, including the Awoyaya site, remained open and continued academic activities after internal safety checks.

According to the statement, the early closure at Anthony was “based solely on proximity considerations” to the schools said to have received threats. The management stressed that the move was precautionary and not a response to any direct warning or attack on Greensprings itself.

The school also moved to correct what it described as a misleading impression that all its campuses had been ordered to shut down. It said the wording of earlier reports suggested that Executive Director, Lai Koiki, had issued a blanket directive for all Greensprings locations to close, a claim the school firmly rejected.

“At no point did Mrs Lai Koiki state or imply that all Greensprings School campuses would close early,” the statement noted, adding that activities at the Awoyaya campus on the same day contradicted that narrative.

Greensprings emphasised that it operates multiple campuses, including boarding facilities, and that decisions on safety are made using “location-specific risk assessments and verified information.” This approach, the school said, allows it to respond to emerging concerns without causing unnecessary disruption across its entire network.

The clarification comes amid heightened anxiety among parents and school operators over security in parts of Lagos, where unverified messages and rumours can quickly trigger panic. By stressing that its action was limited, precautionary and not driven by a direct threat, Greensprings sought to reassure families that its campuses remain safe and that decisions are guided by structured security protocols rather than speculation.