FBI says 57 bombs threats have been made this year against HBCUs, religious institutions

During the opening weeks of 2022, specifically between January 4 and February 16, a total of 57 bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities, houses of worship, and other faith-based and academic institutions have been made.

The issue has become so dramatic that the FBI released a statement this week on its efforts to address the ongoing problem.

"The FBI is continuing to aggressively investigate the ongoing nationwide bomb threats ... This investigation is of the highest priority for the Bureau and involves 31 FBI field offices that are actively working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify those involved. The FBI is investigating these cases as racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes."

No explosive devices have, thus far, been found at the locations to which the threats have been called in, but the bureau says it is remaining "vigilant" in its effort to "protect our communities."

According to the statement, the FBI has briefed around 2,800 law enforcement partners, and community, academia, and faith leaders. "Senior leaders in a number of our field offices also have engaged with university leaders in their respective communities to maintain direct lines of communication," said the agency.

The Department of Homeland Security, earlier this month, also issued a new terrorism advisory warning about the ongoing bomb threats being made against HBCUs as well as religious institutions – specifically, the agency directed focus toward the synagogue hostage situation in Texas earlier this year.

The FBI would not comment further on its ongoing investigation, but NBC reported that earlier this month six technologically adept juveniles were identified as persons of interest in the case.