The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday organised a first aid training programme for its personnel , aimed at enhancing their emergency response capacity.
The training, conducted by the Service’s medical team at the Apapa Command, is designed to equip personnel with essential life-saving skills applicable in various emergency situations.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, while declaring the training open in Lagos, said that the training was timely and necessary to ensure the safety of officers at all times.
He said the training was necessary, particularly for officers who often operate in demanding and high-risk environments.
Oshoba expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, for prioritising the welfare and safety of officers through continuous capacity-building initiatives.
He noted that first aid competence could determine the outcome of medical emergencies, stressing that early intervention often makes the difference between life and death.
Oshoba added that the training programme would be held in all customs command in the country .
According to him, officers will be trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), choking relief, bleeding control, burn, stroke recognition and other basic emergency procedures.
Oshoba said the nature of paramilitary duties sometimes places officers in locations where medical professionals may not be readily available, making first responders critical in stabilising casualties.
He explained that first aid could help to reduce injury severity, control bleeding, relieve pain and revive individuals who may be at the point of losing consciousness.
Oshoba urged participants to take the training seriously, describing it as both a refresher for experienced officers and a valuable introduction for first-time trainees.
He encouraged attendees to make full use of the practical demonstrations, noting that first aid skills were best developed through hands-on learning.
Zonal Medical Officer, Zone ‘B’, Comptroller Amwe Aku, who is also the head of the medical team, while highlighting the objectives of the programme, said the NCS had recorded fatalities that could have been prevented with timely first aid.
He said the training would provide officers with simple but effective life-saving techniques to be used while awaiting professional medical assistance.
“At the last training held in Abuja the CGC Adeniyi, received records of 62 officers who lost their lives between January and October 2025 as a result of lack of First Aid training.
“The CGC who never neglect the welfare of his officers mandated us engage in the first aid training to officers immediately after the training held in Abuja on Thursday.
“The Comptroller-General of customs Bashir Adeniyi, also equiped us to distribute first aid equipment to all departments in the customs officers across the country.
“The first aid knowledge is useful beyond the workplace, as officers may encounter emergencies while commuting, at social events, or at home,”Aku said.
He noted that early application of first aid increases survival chances in nine out of ten emergency cases, making trained officers valuable first responders.
Oshoba said the skills acquired would enhance the safety of officers, their families, colleagues and members of the public they may come across during emergencies.
