First Aid demos at the Nigeria Customs Service training holding at Apapa Command from Nov. 24 to Dec. 3, 2025
Further to the critical importance of good health and momentary dangerous scenarios in work places, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Compt Emmanuel Oshoba, today, November 24, 2025, declared First Aid training session open for staff and officers of the Command.
In his opening remarks, he made it clear that getting life-saving skills like First Aid is critical to the Service and as a paramilitary outfit that are always on duty.
While recalling that officers often work in zones where medical professionals are not readily available, he averred that it has become very essential for Customs officers to have the skills to respond to emergencies.
Compt Aku demonstrated life resuscitation skills to officers, showcasing techniques to save lives in emergency situations.
Oshoba stated, “The implication of this is that the person sitting or standing not far from you could be your emergency nurse or paramedic before a doctor is contacted when the need arises.”
The controller emphasized, “First Aid is a life-saver capable of reducing injury severity, controlling bleeding, relieving pain, and preventing further damage. It can also resuscitate patients on the verge of collapse.”
He encouraged seasoned officers to view the training as a refresher, saying, “For some of us, this isn’t new. I urge experienced officers to use this as an opportunity to enhance their skills.”
Addressing newcomers, he added, “For most of you, this is a first-time experience. I urge you to focus and participate fully in the practical sessions to master these life-saving techniques.”
Comptroller AS Aku, Team Lead and Zonal Medical Officer in Zone B, at the training revealed that between January and late October, the service lost over 62 officers, with additional losses over the weekend. “It’s a sad situation,” he said, “which underscores the need for basic life support skills.”
He urged officers to acquire life-saving skills, noting that they often encounter emergencies at work, on the road, or elsewhere. “I encourage everyone to pay attention and do their best to learn these skills,” he said.
Aku stated that the Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi had directed the training across all formations during the C-PACT Summit in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health.
The training covered essential topics, including basic CPR, treating open injuries, first-degree burns, and bone and joint injuries.
The officers were equipped with practical skills to respond to medical emergencies, with Compt Aku stressing the importance of being prepared.
The training which will run from 24 November to 3 December 2025 is part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance the welfare, health consciousness, and operational readiness of its officers and men in handling emergencies within and outside their duty posts across all formations.
