Nigeria Customs Service lost more than 62 officers in 2025, a development that has prompted renewed emphasis on emergency preparedness and health awareness within the Service.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, during a basic first aid training organised for officers of the Command.
Oshoba said the rising number of fatalities underscored the urgent need for Customs personnel to acquire essential life-saving skills, especially as they often operate in high-risk environments where immediate medical assistance may not be available.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, for prioritising officer welfare and approving the first aid training initiative.
Describing first aid as “a life saver,” Oshoba explained that timely intervention can reduce the severity of injuries, control bleeding, relieve pain, prevent complications and even resuscitate individuals in critical condition.
He warned that the absence of basic first aid knowledge during emergencies frequently results in avoidable deaths.
He highlighted skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking relief, bleeding control and stroke recognition as crucial for all officers.
He noted that due to the nature of their work, Customs officers are often stationed in locations where doctors, nurses and paramedics are not immediately accessible.
“The person sitting or standing next to you could be your emergency responder before a doctor arrives,” he said, urging experienced officers to regard the training as a refresher and encouraging first-timers to make full use of the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Zonal Medical Director for Zone B, Comptroller A. S. Aku, pointed out that officers regularly encounter emergencies ranging from heart attacks and accidents to choking, bleeding, burns and fractures.
He said several past incidents involving Customs personnel resulted in preventable complications or fatalities due to inadequate first aid response.
Aku reminded participants that they remain the first responders in any emergency situation. “What you do in the first few minutes before help comes is crucial,” he said, adding that the aim of the training was to equip officers to stabilise casualties before transferring them to a medical facility.
The session included practical demonstrations covering CPR, choking relief, bleeding control, and the management of burns, gunshot wounds, fractures and head injuries.
Officers actively took part in hands-on drills designed to build confidence and competence in responding to real-life emergencies.