The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has begun a comprehensive first aid training programme for its officers and men, an initiative Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba described as a vital investment in workplace safety and operational readiness.
Receiving the Service’s medical team at the Command, Oshoba said the training underscores Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s strong commitment to staff welfare. He noted that first aid competence is a universal life skill, especially for officers who often operate in high-risk environments where medical professionals are not immediately available.
Oshoba stressed that timely interventions such as CPR, bleeding control, choking relief, and early detection of stroke symptoms often determine whether victims survive or recover fully. He warned that the absence of first aid capability during emergencies could result in avoidable tragedies.
According to him, customs personnel frequently work in remote or operationally demanding locations, making it essential for officers to act as first responders. “The person standing next to you could be your emergency nurse or paramedic before a doctor is reached,” he said, added that prompt action can reduce injury severity, stabilize victims, and prevent long-term complications.
While acknowledging that some officers already possess basic first aid knowledge, Oshoba urged them to treat the programme as an important refresher and encouraged first-time trainees to fully engage in the practical sessions. He described the training as “time well spent” for the Command and the Service at large.
Leading the training, the Zonal Medical Officer for Zone B, Comptroller A.S. Aku, took participants through hands-on demonstrations, ensuring every officer practiced CPR and techniques for relieving choking. Aku emphasized the critical role of first responders, noted that what is done in the first few minutes of an emergency can determine the outcome.
The training covered CPR, bleeding control, handling bone and joint injuries, and responding to gunshot incidents, among other emergency procedures.
A key highlight was the presentation of the Customs Medical Corps First Aid manual to Comptroller Oshoba by the Zonal Medical Officer.
