The Lagos State government has warned residents against making fake emergency calls to its Command and Control Center, saying the trend continues to undermine rapid responses to genuine emergencies across the state.
Officials issued the warning during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja on Monday, part of activities marking seven years of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Olugbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties, who addressed journalists and stakeholders at the briefing, said abuse of emergency lines had reached an alarming level.
According to him, millions of calls received were fake or completely unnecessary.
Oyerinde disclosed that 24.15 million calls entered the center between January 2025 and April 2026, with 16.39 million identified as fake, representing 67.9 percent.
The commissioner described the statistics as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
He said, “It is disturbing that people call simply to test whether our lines work. Our lines work, but every wasted minute can cost lives.”
He noted that emergency operators often struggle to separate genuine distress from prank calls, adding that delayed responses could worsen fire outbreaks, accidents, and medical emergencies.
Oyerinde urged parents, schools, and community leaders to educate young people, stressing that emergency communication must be treated as a public safety responsibility.
Also speaking, Femi Kennedy-Giwa, general manager of the Command and Control Center, expressed concern over the figures, noting that operators sometimes receive repeated prank calls from single numbers.
According to him, such behavior affects efficiency and public confidence.
“Such calls prevent genuine callers from receiving immediate attention. We must do better as residents of Lagos,” he said.
He assured residents that public awareness campaigns would continue statewide.
Meanwhile, Oyerinde said fire outbreaks remained the most common emergencies in 2025, adding that responders successfully saved properties worth N118.32 billion.
He added that 1,924 victims were rescued alive from emergencies, while properties worth N19.72 billion were lost.
