Pan Atlantic University in Lagos activated a large scale security response on Tuesday night after unidentified men were spotted moving through the institution's premises, prompting a lockdown order and the deployment of multiple security agencies across the campus.

The alert was issued late Tuesday by the university's Student Council in an emergency advisory addressed to all undergraduate students, directing them to remain in their hostels until an official clearance was communicated.

"Please stay within your respective hostels and avoid moving around the campus until further notice. We will issue an official 'all clear' notification once the area has been secured," the advisory stated.

According to the council, the university coordinated a security response involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy. "A comprehensive security deployment is currently active across the campus, featuring coordinated support from the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Navy," the statement noted.

Students were also informed that gunfire sounds heard during the operation were controlled discharges by security personnel conducting sweeps of the campus green areas, and not attacks on the institution.

"You may hear sounds of activity, including controlled discharges, as security forces conduct a thorough sweep of campus green areas. These actions are part of a coordinated security operation; please remain calm and do not be alarmed," the council disclosed.

A student who spoke to journalists said the incident began around 8pm when female students in a hostel on the outer edge of the campus spotted two men moving through surrounding vegetation towards the hostel area. Shortly after, management invited security operatives who searched the surrounding bushes and fired warning shots to flush out anyone in hiding. The student added that unconfirmed accounts from coursemates suggested the men may have been fleeing after robbing a church located behind the university.

The university urged students to report any suspicious activity to the Campus Security Services department and pledged to provide updates through official channels as the situation developed.

No arrests were publicly confirmed, and Pan Atlantic University had not issued a separate statement on the nature of the security threat or whether anyone sustained injuries during the operation.