Lagos records 16.4 million fake emergency calls in 14 months

The Lagos State Command and Control Centre said it recorded 16.39 million fake emergency calls between January 2025 and April 2026. This represents 67.9% of the total 24.15 million emergency calls received during these fourteen months. 

The agency warned that the high rate of fake calls undermines its ability to respond rapidly to genuine emergencies across the state. Such false alarms make it harder to take every emergency call seriously. 

Olugbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties, revealed these figures during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja on Monday, as part of activities marking seven years of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

According to him, the abuse of emergency lines had reached an alarming level where millions of calls received were either fake or completely unnecessary. 

At a time when emergency and toll-free lines are essential, the misuse of these public services undermines the purpose for which they were created. When emergency lines that serve as life savers during road crashes, building collapses or fire outbreaks turn into a prank tool, the target of being a public safety tool is already defeated.

“It is disturbing that people call simply to test whether our lines work. Our lines work, but every wasted minute can cost lives,” Oyerinde said. 

Due to the high volume of fake emergency calls, he noted that emergency operators often struggle to separate genuine distress from prank calls, stressing that any delayed responses could worsen critical cases such as fire outbreaks, accidents and medical emergencies.

Oyerinde then admonished the Lagos State residents, including parents, schools and community leaders, to educate young people on the dangers of making prank calls with emergency lines. 

For the entire 2025, Lagos state recorded over 12 million unrelated calls in 2025, showing a recurring pattern of abuse.

Also Read: Lagos plans cybersecurity centre to protect data of 15 million citizens.

N118.32 billion saved with genuine emergency calls

The importance of emergency lines cannot be overemphasised. However, the impact of the system can only be achieved when the lines remain accessible and are used responsibly.

Oyerinde explained that of all incidents, fire outbreaks remained the most common emergencies in 2025, with responders saving properties worth N118.32 billion.

During the same period, 1,924 victims were rescued alive from emergencies, while properties worth N19.72 billion were lost.

Also reacting to the development, Femi Kennedy-Giwa, General Manager of the Command and Control Centre, expressed his concerns over the fake call figures. He noted that operators sometimes receive repeated prank calls from single numbers.

He added that such behaviour affects the agency’s efficiency and public confidence.

“Such calls prevent genuine callers from receiving immediate attention. We must do better as residents of Lagos,” he said.

The Lagos State Emergency Command and Control Centre can be reached through its toll-free numbers, 112 and 767, which connect directly to the command centre.