Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says the speed and reliability of emergency response matter far more than whether emergency phone numbers are four digits.
Responding to recurring public concerns, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Saturday on her social media account urges Abuja residents to rely on the command’s existing emergency lines, stressing that functionality outweighs format.
“We often receive comments asking why emergency numbers are not four digits,” Adeh says in a statement shared on Saturday. “What truly matters is that a call connects immediately to the police.”
She emphasises that emergencies demand instant access, not aesthetic simplicity.
“Emergencies do not wait. A working line that reaches help without delay is what saves lives,” she adds.
According to the police spokesperson, the official emergency numbers for the FCT remain 08032003913 and 07057337653. Residents are advised to save the numbers on their phones and share them with family members, neighbours, and community groups.
Adeh explains that focusing solely on short codes can distract from the real issue of preparedness, noting that response efficiency depends on prompt reporting and accurate information.
The FCT Police Command reiterates its commitment to protecting lives and property across the nation’s capital, assuring residents that distress calls are treated with urgency regardless of the number format used.
Security analysts say public awareness of verified emergency contacts remains critical to effective policing, especially in fast-developing situations where seconds can make the difference.
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