Customs Launches First Aid Training for Officers At Apapa Command, Says 62 Officers Have Died in 2025
Apapa Customs Controller, Compt Emmanuel Oshoba (right) receiving a manual on first aid from the Zonal Medical Officer in Zone B, Comptroller AS Aku during a training session for officers on Monday.
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Nigeria Customs Service Medical Corps on Monday 24th November 2025, berthed it’s First AID Training for officers at the Apapa Customs Command, even as it regretted that not less than 60 Customs officers have died in the year 2025 due to absence of live saving skills of officers.
While declaring the training session open, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Compt Emmanuel Oshoba noted that having live saving skills like First Aid, is critical to the service as a paramilitary outfit because sometimes, the call of duty requires officers be at work zones where doctors, nurses and paramedics may be far from where they have medical emergencies.
“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.
“First Aid is a life saver with capacity to reduce severity of injuries and control bleeding. It relieves pain and prevents further damages to parts of the body during medical emergencies. It also resuscitates patients at the verge of passing out.
“For some of us, training like this is not a new thing. I therefore urge officers with experience in this subject to see this session as a refreshing period where they could further enhance their life-saving skills.
“Whereas for the majority, this is a first-time experience to learn. I hereby urge you all to devote your concentration to this training and fully participate in the practical sessions to test your skills on what you are taught” Compt Oshoba stated
Also speaking, the Team lead, and Zonal Medical Officer in Zone B, Comptroller AS Aku, stated that from January to late October, the service has lost over 62 officers. This is not including those that we lost over the weekend.
“So, it’s a very sad situation which caused us to have just basic life support skills.
Most times, we meet with first responders at the scene, at our workplace, even when we are travelling.
“I would urge all of us to pay attention and do our best as much as possible to acquire those life-saving skills” he said
According to him, the Customs Comptroller-General had mandated the training across all formations during his closing remarks at the just concluded C-PACT Summit in Abuja.
“He emphasized on the need for each and everyone of us to take our health seriously” Compt Aku stated.
The officers were sensitized on how to apply basic CPR, how to address open injuries, firs burns, as well as bone and joint inuries.
