The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against making prank calls to the state’s fire and rescue service, highlighting the dangers false alarms pose to public safety and emergency resource management.
According to The PUNCH, the commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, described prank calls and attacks on firefighters as significant challenges confronting the agency. He disclosed that of the 1,952 emergency calls received in 2024, 578 were false alarms.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Staff Engagement of the Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service in Ikeja on Thursday, Oyerinde commended firefighters for their dedication and urged them to stay committed to fire safety and emergency response.
Represented by a director in the ministry, Olumide Williams, Oyerinde emphasized the need for fire prevention and risk mitigation. He stressed that while firefighting is crucial, proactive measures such as public education and risk reduction strategies play a vital role in saving lives and reducing damage.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate, prioritizing fire prevention as the foundation of disaster management,” he said. “While firefighting is critical, it is proactive fire safety education and risk reduction efforts that truly save lives and minimize damage.”
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sesan Ogundeko, raised concerns about how prank calls disrupt fire service operations and lead to resource wastage.
“Fake calls remain one of the challenges we are facing at the command and control centers, and it is affecting the performance of the fire service,” Ogundeko stated. “It sometimes leads to unnecessary wastage. The law is very clear on this—anyone caught making false emergency calls will face the full wrath of the law. We strongly advise those involved to desist.”
In her remarks, the state’s Director of Fire Services, Margaret Adeseye, highlighted the importance of the annual staff engagement in assessing the agency’s progress and identifying areas for improvement in safeguarding lives, property, and the environment.
The event also included a cash award presentation, where three retirees—Orire Taofeek, Bada Adekunle, and Adebanjo Abiodun—were honored with ₦1.5 million each for their years of dedicated service. Another retiree, Daboh Perekeduba, received ₦1 million in recognition of his contributions.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening emergency response efforts while urging residents to support the fire service by avoiding prank calls and embracing fire safety practices.
