Lagos State Government Cracks Down on Prank Calls to Fire Services

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to desist from making prank calls to the state's Fire and Rescue Service. Authorities have emphasized that false emergency alerts not only endanger public safety but also waste valuable resources, diverting emergency responders from real-life crises.

Surge in Hoax Calls Disrupting Emergency Response

Recent reports indicate a troubling rise in deceptive emergency calls, with some residents placing false alarms as part of bets among themselves. According to sources within the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, prank calls have significantly disrupted emergency operations, delaying responses to genuine distress situations.

An insider within LASEMA revealed, “We have experienced an increase in false calls. Some of these calls are made for various reasons, but the most alarming cases involve individuals betting on whether emergency responders will react or not.”

Statistics Reveal Alarming Trend

Between January and March 2024 alone, the Lagos State Fire Service responded to 505 emergency calls, out of which a shocking 143 were confirmed hoaxes. This not only burdens emergency response teams but also wastes taxpayer money, which funds these operations.

The Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “Some people just play with the 767 distress number. We rushed down to the address given, only to find no trace of fire. In other instances, the addresses were completely untraceable.”

Legal Action Against Offenders

To curb this dangerous trend, the Lagos State Government has begun taking legal action against offenders. In April 2023, an 18-year-old suspect, Uzuokwu Solomon, was arraigned for making a false emergency call, reporting a nonexistent fire in Harmony Estate, Ajah. He was charged under the Lagos State Fire Service Law and the Command and Control Centre Law of 2013.

Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prosecuting prank callers, stating, “Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, the trend persists. These actions are punishable under Lagos State laws, and we hope that the prosecution of offenders will serve as a strong deterrent.”

Public Awareness and Government Measures

In response to the growing problem, the Lagos State Government has intensified public awareness campaigns, leveraging radio programs, social media, and community engagement to educate residents about the dangers and consequences of false emergency calls.

Officials are urging the public to use emergency numbers responsibly, emphasizing that every second counts in saving lives. “Making prank calls to emergency services is not just a childish prank—it is a criminal act that can cost lives,” one official stated.

The Lagos State Government is taking a zero-tolerance approach toward prank calls to emergency services. Residents are reminded that false distress calls are punishable offenses, and perpetrators risk prosecution. The public is urged to act responsibly to ensure that emergency responders remain available for those in genuine need.