The Lagos State Emergency Command and Control Centre received more than 12 million nuisance calls in 2025, raising serious concerns about the misuse of toll-free emergency lines across the state.
General Manager of the centre, Mr. Femi Giwa, disclosed this during an interview with reporters in Lagos.
Giwa expressed deep concern over the high volume of prank and false calls, stating that they severely hamper effective emergency response.
“In 2025 alone, we recorded over 12 million nuisance calls and more than three million abandoned calls,” he said.
“These calls consume valuable time meant for genuine emergencies and, in some cases, delay life-saving interventions.”
He explained that the centre serves as the central coordination hub for first responders statewide, managing real-time communication and deployment for multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
Residents can access emergency services through the toll-free numbers 112 and 767, which connect directly to the command centre.
“When a call comes in, our agents process and escalate the information within two minutes to the relevant agency for dispatch,” Giwa said.
“However, when the lines are tied up with prank calls, it becomes difficult for those in real distress to get through promptly.”
He noted that false distress reports sometimes trigger unnecessary deployment of ambulances, fire trucks, and security personnel, diverting critical resources from actual incidents.
Giwa highlighted that, with Lagos State’s population estimated at over 20 million, the centre has decentralized its assets—including more than 230 ambulance points and over 230 fire stations—to ensure rapid response.
“Strategic positioning allows first responders to arrive at scenes within five to 10 minutes in many cases, but that efficiency depends largely on responsible use of the emergency lines,” he said.
Giwa appealed to residents to stop making prank, test, or abusive calls and to provide accurate information when reporting emergencies.
“The misuse of emergency numbers is not a harmless act. It can cost lives,” he warned.
“We urge residents to be responsible and allow the system to function effectively for everyone.”
He reiterated the need for motorists to give right of way to emergency vehicles and urged the public to report genuine incidents promptly and accurately.
The disclosure highlights a persistent challenge in Lagos—one of Africa’s most populous cities—where misuse of emergency lines continues to strain limited resources and potentially endanger lives that depend on swift, unimpeded response.
