Emergency number touted by APC campaign spokesperson fails to connect on live TV

Nigeria’s 112 emergency hotline failed to connect during a live Channels Television interview after APC campaign spokesman Alwan Hassan promoted its effectiveness, although a separate test by TheCable reportedly connected successfully.

Nigeria’s national emergency number, 112, failed to connect during a live television interview after All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign spokesman Alwan Hassan promoted its effectiveness.

According to The Cable, the incident occurred Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Hassan challenged Okinbaloye to dial 112, describing the emergency service as an achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

However, repeated attempts failed to connect.

“This number is not working,” Okinbaloye said.

Hassan insisted the service was operational, suggesting a possible network problem.

Okinbaloye countered that other calls from the studio connected successfully, adding that viewers reported similar difficulties.

Hassan explained that emergency calls should connect residents to response centres for medical and security assistance.

The Federal Government adopted 112 as a national emergency number in July 2026.

However, TheCable reportedly reached a Lagos emergency operator during a separate test, indicating that the service was accessible in some locations despite the failed demonstration.