The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as escalating cases of theft at quay aprons within Lagos seaports, warning that the trend could undermine safety and commercial confidence if not urgently addressed.
The union, led by its President-General, Francis Bunu Abi, expressed outrage following a recent security breach involving the vessel MV ZY JU HE at Eko Support Terminal in the early hours of Sunday.
According to information made available to the union, the incident occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m., when unidentified individuals reportedly gained access to the vessel and removed items from its aft store, including five tins of paint and a crew member’s mobile phone.
Preliminary observations indicated that the perpetrators did not board the vessel using a ladder, raising concerns about how access was gained. The union also pointed to poor lighting conditions around the paint storage area, which significantly reduced visibility and may have aided the operation.
Crew members on board reportedly detected the intrusion and raised an alarm. However, despite the use of whistles and other alert measures, the response was insufficient to deter the attackers in time. In a dramatic turn, the suspects allegedly dumped the stolen items into the sea and fled the scene using a speedboat immediately the vessel’s alarm system was activated.
Reacting to the development, Bunu described the situation as unacceptable, stating that security around port quay aprons has become dangerously porous, allowing criminals to operate with alarming ease.
He warned that repeated incidents of this nature could damage the reputation of Nigeria’s seaports and discourage business activities, particularly among international shipping operators who rely on secure port environments.
The maritime labour leader called on security agencies operating within the ports to intensify surveillance and adopt more proactive measures to safeguard lives and property. He specifically urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Navy to strengthen patrols and ensure stricter enforcement of security protocols across port facilities.
Bunu stressed that maintaining a safe and secure port environment is critical to sustaining efficient maritime operations and preserving Nigeria’s image as a viable trade destination.
He further appealed for improved infrastructure, particularly adequate lighting and monitoring systems, to close existing security gaps that criminals continue to exploit.
The MWUN reiterated its commitment to advocating for the welfare and safety of maritime workers, while calling for immediate and coordinated action to prevent further breaches and restore confidence in the nation’s port security architecture.