Nigeria Customs Trains Apapa Command Personnel on Life-Saving First Aid Skills

Nigeria Customs Trains Apapa Command Personnel on Life-Saving First Aid Skills

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has commenced a comprehensive basic first aid training programme for its officers and men, with the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, describing the initiative as a critical investment in workplace safety and operational preparedness.

Welcoming the Service’s medical team to the Command, Comptroller Oshoba stated that the training aligns with the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. He noted that first aid knowledge is a universal life skill every adult should possess, especially security operatives who often work in high-risk environments.

According to him, simple but timely interventions—such as CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition—can make the difference between survival, full recovery or preventable complications. He warned that the absence of first aid capability during emergencies can result in avoidable fatalities.

“Customs personnel sometimes operate in locations where doctors, nurses and paramedics are not immediately available. In such situations, the person standing next to you becomes your emergency nurse or paramedic before a doctor is reached,” he emphasized.

Comptroller Oshoba highlighted the role of first aid in reducing injury severity, controlling bleeding, relieving pain and stabilizing victims who may be close to losing consciousness. While acknowledging that some officers are already familiar with first aid procedures, he urged them to treat the exercise as a refresher course, and encouraged first-time participants to fully engage with both theoretical and practical sessions.

Formally declaring the training open, Oshoba expressed confidence that the participants would acquire valuable competencies, describing the programme as “time well spent” for the Command and the Service at large.

The Zonal Medical Officer for Zone B and Medical Team Lead, Comptroller A. S. Aku, led hands-on practical sessions where every participant demonstrated CPR and choking-recovery techniques. He emphasized that first responders play a critical role during emergencies.

“When an emergency occurs, you are a first responder. What happens in the first few minutes before help arrives is crucial. At the end of this training, participants should understand the four goals of first aid, the types of first aid, when to administer them and the techniques needed,” Aku stated. He added that basic emergency response skills are often required not only in the workplace, but also in homes and everyday situations, noting that panic is a common obstacle when untrained individuals face emergencies.

The medical team also trained officers on managing bleeding, gunshot wounds, bone and joint injuries, and other critical situations.

A key highlight of the programme was the presentation of the Customs Medical Corps First Aid Manual by the Zonal Medical Officer to Comptroller Oshoba.