Nigeria 112 Emergency Number: How to use the national line

Nigeria is getting ready to adopt a new national emergency number, 112, which will replace the different numbers that people have been using to access police, ambulance, fire, and other emergency services.

Once the new system is fully activated, calling 112 from either a mobile phone or landline should connect you to a control room, which will then dispatch the nearest appropriate service to your location.

Make sure to save the number on your contacts with a memorable name or label so that it is easy to locate in case of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, you need to have the number at hand to avoid wasting time looking for it.

When making the call, speak clearly and provide the operator with your location information first: if you can, give the nearest landmark, road, or building to your location.

The operator may ask you to wait before disconnecting the call even if you have stated what has happened since they might need more information about the emergency to dispatch the right service.

The call will be routed to the nearest control room depending on the type of emergency.

Avoid calling the number whenever you are not facing an emergency situation. Operators can only respond to confirmed emergency cases. Calling 112 when there is no emergency wastes their time, and they can penalize you for the misuse.

Make sure to teach your family members the number, and remind them what to say when calling for help. Even older people and children can memorize the number and know what to say when you are not around to assist them.

If you are in an area with poor network connection, try saving contact numbers of other nearby towers until you get good signal coverage.

The government will release public notices regarding the commencement of the activation of the new system and the dates on which 112 will be available for use in different parts of the country. Always rely on public announcements and only official information from the government or NEMA.

Knowing the above information on Nigeria’s new emergency number, 112, will help you know precisely how to respond if you or a family member is involved in an emergency incident. Remember to always practice giving out information about your location and the kind of assistance you need clearly and concisely.

The most effective preparation for an emergency response is to learn the new emergency number and remember to give the operator clear instructions about your location and the kind of emergency you are facing.