COLUMBUS, Neb. -- Authorities in northeast Nebraska say they responded to an alleged swatting attempt Friday afternoon. 

The Columbus Police Department said that around 2:08 p.m. they received a hotline call that made a threat on Columbus High School and responded accordingly. 

Police said that CHS placed the school on lockdown to ensure that students and staff were safe. 

At the same time, Columbus Public School also secured Lost Creek Elementary and Columbus Middle School. 

CPD found that several schools across the U.S. also got similar threats, and they believe this was a "swatting" attempt. 

Around 2:35 p.m., all schools have been removed from lockdown and secured. 

CPD and CPS said they take every threat seriously.