Police are urgently investigating after around 160 schools across Northern Ireland received bomb threats signed “Allahu Akbar” that have caused “huge alarm”, prompting several evacuations.
As reported by BBC News this morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed they were conducting “urgent enquiries” after the threatening emails were sent to numerous educational establishments shortly before 9:00am.
The messages claimed that bombs were placed on the premises and that a series of terrorist attacks were imminent, leading to the immediate evacuation of several schools, while others decided to remain open.
The email, which was seen by BBC News NI, threatened that an explosive device was hidden within the buildings.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, the message read: “This is an urgent notification that an explosive device containing ammonium nitrate (ANFO) is currently located inside the building.”
Notably, an ANFO device is a high-explosive material, it has historically been used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by terrorists. It not only causes massive destruction and structural damage to buildings and people, but it also releases hazardous byproducts like carbon monoxide once detonated.
“Today, with Allah’s permission, we will carry out a series of planned terrorist attacks across this country,” the message continued.
The correspondence warned that further actions would follow and demanded the implementation of Islamist religious laws.
“What you experience today is only the beginning,” the email continued.
“One day, your government will surrender its authority and Sharia Law will be established. Allahu Akbar.”
The threat is not being treated as viable by authorities, Education Minister Paul Givan has said.
Speaking to the press at Stormont today, the DUP Minister said that the situation was being closely monitored.
“The Education Authority are having emergency meetings with the police this morning,” Givan said.
“At this stage the advice to schools is that we’re not treating this as a viable threat but it has clearly caused huge alarm.”
The PSNI confirmed they were liaising with affected schools in the aftermath of the threats.
“Police received reports today, Monday October 19, of an email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland,” a spokesperson said.
“As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question. An update will be provided in due course.”
The Education Authority (EA) has issued communications to schools advising them to remain vigilant.
Furthermore, a separate incident saw schools closed across County Clare in February 2025 following a bomb threat that resulted in a heavy Garda deployment. There is no evidence that these incidents were linked.