Customs Trains Kebbi Officers in Firefighting, Boosts Emergency Preparedness
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has strengthened its emergency preparedness by training officers and personnel in basic firefighting techniques, fire prevention and the proper handling of firefighting equipment.
The capacity-building programme, held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, was organised in collaboration with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) as part of efforts to improve workplace safety and ensure personnel are better prepared to respond effectively to fire emergencies.
Beyond theoretical instruction, participating officers were exposed to practical demonstrations on how to identify potential fire hazards, prevent outbreaks and use available firefighting equipment during emergencies.
The exercise reflects growing recognition that the presence of firefighting equipment alone may not be sufficient to protect lives and property unless personnel understand how to use the equipment quickly and correctly when an emergency occurs.
Deputy Comptroller of Customs Ibrahim Yusuf chaired the programme on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller of Customs Mahmoud Ibrahim. Senior officers and other personnel of the Kebbi Area Command also participated in the training.
Fire Safety a Shared Responsibility
Speaking during the programme, Yusuf stressed that fire prevention and emergency response should not be regarded as the responsibility of firefighters alone.
He noted that fires can occur unexpectedly in offices, residential areas and other environments, making basic knowledge of fire safety important for individuals and organisations.
According to him, possessing the right knowledge and having access to appropriate equipment can make the difference between containing a minor incident and allowing it to develop into a major emergency.
“Fire safety is not only about having firefighting equipment; it is about having the knowledge and confidence to use that equipment when it matters most,” Yusuf said.
“By equipping our officers with these skills, we are strengthening their ability to protect lives and property within the Command and in the communities where they live.”
His remarks highlighted one of the central objectives of the training: ensuring that Customs personnel are capable of taking immediate and appropriate action during the early stages of a fire while professional emergency responders are being contacted.
Early intervention can be crucial during a fire emergency, particularly when personnel are able to identify the type of fire involved and understand which firefighting equipment is appropriate for the situation.
Officers Receive Practical Firefighting Training
The programme covered several aspects of fire safety, including common causes of fire, preventive measures and basic principles of fire extinction.
Participants were also trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers, fire blankets and fire buckets.
Rather than limiting the exercise to classroom instruction, the organisers incorporated practical demonstrations to give officers firsthand experience in handling firefighting equipment.
Under the supervision of fire safety professionals, participants practised techniques that could be required during an actual emergency.
The practical component was designed to build confidence among officers and reduce the possibility of panic or inappropriate responses when confronted with a fire outbreak.
Understanding how firefighting equipment operates is particularly important because different types of fires may require different responses. Proper training can help personnel recognise hazards, raise an alarm, evacuate endangered areas and deploy available equipment where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
The training also placed emphasis on prevention, reinforcing the principle that reducing fire risks before an incident occurs remains one of the most effective approaches to protecting lives and property.
Federal Fire Service Commends Initiative
Deputy Superintendent of Fire Kabiru Muhammad, who served as the Federal Fire Service resource person during the programme, commended the leadership of the Kebbi Area Command for facilitating the exercise and providing firefighting equipment.
Muhammad encouraged participating officers to take the lessons seriously, noting that the knowledge acquired could prove valuable both within their workplace and in their communities.
Fire safety skills are not limited to formal office environments. Personnel who understand basic prevention and emergency response procedures may also be better positioned to assist during incidents in their homes or communities while awaiting professional firefighters.
The partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Fire Service also demonstrates the potential benefits of cooperation among government agencies in areas extending beyond their primary statutory responsibilities.
While Customs officers are principally responsible for duties including border enforcement, trade facilitation and revenue-related operations, maintaining a safe working environment remains essential to the effective performance of those responsibilities.
Command Strengthens Fire Preparedness
As part of the initiative, the Kebbi Area Command also provided fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment to complement the knowledge acquired during the training.
The combination of equipment and practical instruction is intended to ensure that officers are not only aware of fire safety procedures but also have access to the tools needed to respond to an emerging incident.
Fire outbreaks can result in injuries, deaths and significant property losses, while damage to offices and operational facilities can disrupt the activities of public institutions.
For an organisation such as the Nigeria Customs Service, fire preparedness is particularly important because administrative and operational facilities may contain official records, electrical installations, vehicles, equipment and other valuable government assets.
Preventive measures, regular inspections, functional firefighting equipment and trained personnel can therefore contribute to reducing both human and material losses.
The Kebbi Area Command’s initiative also underscores the importance of institutional preparedness rather than waiting for an emergency before considering safety measures.
Training personnel before an incident occurs allows them to understand emergency procedures in a controlled environment and develop the confidence needed to respond appropriately under pressure.
Protecting Lives Beyond the Workplace
One of the broader benefits of the programme is that the skills acquired by participating officers can extend beyond the Customs Command.
Officers who understand basic fire prevention may apply the same knowledge in their homes and communities, including identifying unsafe electrical connections, improper storage of flammable materials and other conditions capable of increasing fire risks.
They may also be able to guide people around them on appropriate responses during emergencies, while recognising situations that require immediate evacuation and professional intervention.
The initiative therefore represents more than the provision of fire extinguishers. It combines awareness, practical skills, prevention and equipment as components of a wider safety culture.
By collaborating with the Federal Fire Service, the Kebbi Area Command has taken a preventive approach aimed at ensuring personnel know what to do before, during and immediately after a fire emergency.
For the Command, the ultimate objective is to minimise risks, improve emergency response and protect both personnel and public property.
The training reinforces a simple but important principle: effective emergency preparedness begins before an emergency occurs. By equipping officers with practical firefighting knowledge and providing the necessary equipment, the Nigeria Customs Service’s Kebbi Area Command is strengthening its capacity to respond when every second matters.
