Prank calls clog emergency lines, potentially delaying life-saving responses in Africa’s largest city.
The Lagos State Command and Control Centre revealed that more than **12 million nuisance calls and 3 million abandoned calls were recorded in 2025, raising concerns over misuse of toll-free numbers 112 and 767.
General Manager Femi Giwa said prank and false calls tie up resources, sometimes delaying ambulances, fire trucks, and security responses. With Lagos’ population exceeding 20 million, the centre coordinates real-time responses for multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Rapid Response Squad, and Lagos State Ambulance Service.
Giwa urged residents to use emergency lines responsibly, stressing that misuse is not harmless and can cost lives. Strategic positioning of over 230 ambulance and fire points ensures rapid responses but only if lines remain free for genuine emergencies.
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