Don’t wait until you are involved in a serious vehicle accident on the Murtala Mohammed Expressway or until you smell wood burning at midnight to think about emergency contacts.
Having Nigeria’s National Emergency Numbers and understanding the emergency response systems will help save lives. Unfortunately, many in Nigeria are unaware of the correct contact numbers to use or do not understand how the response system works.
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What is Nigeria’s National Emergency Number?
If you encounter a major emergency within Nigeria, 112 should be your first port of call.
112 is Nigeria’s answer to 911 (the American emergency hotline). It is the country’s official toll-free national emergency number, connecting citizens with police, fire services, and medical assistance.
The service is managed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and routing to 112 occurs in real time through the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) located throughout Nigeria. An Employee or agent within the ECC will first evaluate your needs, and the response will be dispatched from the ECC closest to you.
What you need to know about 112:
- You can reach any of the following carriers without incurring credit on your prepaid mobile device: MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9Mobile. You may dial 112 from a mobile phone without a SIM card.
- 112 is intended for the reporting of the following major emergencies: reports of crimes in progress, fire-related incidents, serious medical emergencies, and road traffic accidents.
- 112 also links directly with the National Health Service, as it is part of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) established by the Government to ensure prompt access to emergency healthcare.
Beyond 112: Specialized Emergency Contacts
While 112 is your primary gateway, certain situations or locations have dedicated hotlines for a more direct response. Saving these numbers alongside 112 gives you a complete safety net.
Here’s a quick-reference table for Nigeria’s key emergency contacts:
| Emergency Service | Primary Contact Number | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| National Emergency | 112 | All major emergencies: Police, Fire, Medical, and Road accidents. Your first call in any crisis. |
| Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) | 122 | Road traffic accidents, breakdowns on major highways, reporting reckless driving. |
| Lagos State Emergency | 767 | Any emergency within Lagos State. Integrates state police, LASEMA, fire, and ambulance services. |
| Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) | 070-55350249, 070-35068242 | Immediate armed robbery, violent assault, or active kidnapping situations, particularly in Lagos. |
| Gender-Based Violence & Rape | 080072732255 | Support for survivors of rape and sexual assault, providing counseling and legal assistance. |
How to Make an Emergency Call That Saves Precious Time
There are two parts to using the emergency number: knowing which number to call and how to use it correctly. Calling in a calm, clear voice ensures assistance arrives faster than calling while confused.
Be sure to follow these steps when you call:
Remain Calm and Speak Clearly
Take several deep breaths. Ensure the person who answers the phone understands what you are saying.
Give Your Complete Address First
The second most important thing to tell the dispatcher is your exact location. Be as specific as possible by providing either your full address or a landmark (e.g., “across from the new supermarket on Aminu Kano Crescent”), or use an approved location-sharing app if available.
List the Emergency Briefly
Describe in as few words as possible what happened. Examples would include “There is a fire in a three-storey building” or “a man was hit by a car and is now unconscious.”
Give Your Phone Number and Follow Any Instructions
This will allow the dispatcher to contact you again if the call ends abruptly. Also, be sure to listen carefully to any first-aid or safety advice the dispatcher provides and follow it.
Final Thoughts
The number 112 is Nigeria’s universal emergency contact number. There are also hotlines for specific emergencies: 122 for road accidents, 767 for Lagos State emergencies, and hotlines for mental health support and child/adolescent protection.
Learning about these emergency hotlines is an important way to be socially responsible. Taking action at this point is very simple. Open your phone now and add the numbers to your contacts. Then, spend the next 30 seconds taking a picture of the key emergency numbers and send them to your family, flatmates, and group chats.
By ensuring everyone in your network has this information, you increase your collective potential to create a secure, supportive network.
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