By ADERONKE OJEDIRAN

The Lagos State Government has warned residents against making fake emergency calls to its Command and Control Centre.

Officials said the trend continued to undermine rapid responses to genuine emergencies across the state.

The warning came during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja on Monday.

The event formed part of activities marking seven years of Gov. 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 centre between January 2025 and April 2026. He said 16.39 million calls were fake, representing 67.9 per cent.

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 said emergency operators often struggle to separate genuine distress from prank calls.

According to him, delayed responses could worsen fire outbreaks, accidents and medical emergencies.

Oyerinde urged parents, schools and community leaders to educate young people.

He said emergency communication must be treated as a public safety responsibility.

Also speaking, Femi Kennedy-Giwa, General Manager of the Command and Control Centre, expressed concern over the figures.

He said operators sometimes receive repeated prank calls from single numbers.

According to him, such behaviour 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. He disclosed 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.

He said the figures reflected both challenges and improved response capacity, adding that 1,972 genuine emergencies were recorded in 2025.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that out of these, 1,685 involved fire incidents.

Oyerinde said March recorded the highest emergency incidents with 210 cases reported during the month. He linked the increase to dry weather conditions.

The commissioner said August recorded the lowest emergency incidents, linking that decline to heavy rainfall.

According to him, Alimosho recorded the highest emergencies, accounting for 180 incidents during the review period. Eti-Osa followed with 156 incidents. Ikeja recorded 139 emergency incidents.

Oyerinde said road accidents accounted for 394 incidents as truck and tanker accidents accounted for 249 incidents.

He said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency handled 1,156 emergencies.

He disclosed that 173 bodies were recovered during operations as responders attended collapsed buildings and flood disasters.

Ship fires, pipeline leakages and medical emergencies were also recorded. Oyerinde said ambulance teams attended 1,382 medical emergencies.

He said pre-hospital care services continued expanding across Lagos.

On enforcement, he said the Lagos State Safety Commission intensified inspections with over 2,800 sites faced enforcement actions.

NAN also reports that more than 100 businesses were sealed for safety breaches. The commissioner said affected facilities included restaurants and supermarkets.

He added that construction sites and factories were inspected while oil facilities, haulage firms and hotels also underwent audits.

According to him, the government procured 62 firefighting vehicles, saying the equipment strengthened emergency response infrastructure.

Oyerinde disclosed that fire stations were completed in Ebute-Elefun and Ijegun-Egba. He added that projects in Oworonshoki, Yaba and Ikotun continued.

He reaffirmed government commitment to building a safer Lagos, adding that stronger preparedness remained central to public safety efforts. (NAN)

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