The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President General, Comrade Bunu Abi, has strongly condemned the killing of its former Vice President General (VPG), Comrade (Chief) Alfred Etete, describing the act as brutal, senseless, and unacceptable.
Etete, a respected community leader and traditional chief in Agwut-Obolo, Rivers State, was reportedly shot dead in cold blood by gunmen at his residence. His tragic death has sent shockwaves across the Union and the wider maritime community.
Until his retirement, the late Etete served meritoriously as Vice President General of MWUN and was a distinguished member of the NIWA & Water Transport Branch of the Union.
Throughout his active years in the Union, he was widely acknowledged for his dedication, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty. Colleagues who worked closely with him continue to attest to his integrity and rare passion for labour service.
Reacting to the incident, Abi described the killing as a devastating loss to the Union and the labour movement at large. He noted that the news of Etete’s death came as a profound shock, given his continued service to humanity even after retirement.
According to the MWUN President General, Etete was a “gentleman, a Comrade par excellence, and a role model worthy of emulation”. He praised the late labour leader’s versatility in handling labour matters and his exceptional ability to build strong relationships across the Union. “He was a jolly good Comrade who came, saw, and conquered”, Abi said.
The Union expressed deep regret that after retiring honourably from active union service, Etete devoted himself to community leadership, only for his life to be abruptly cut short by what MWUN described as “enemies of humanity”.
Abi called on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police to urgently investigate the murder and bring the perpetrators to justice. He stressed that no individual has the right to take another’s life under any circumstance and insisted that justice must be served for the sake of posterity.
While expressing confidence that security agencies will apprehend those responsible, MWUN extended its heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Etete and prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.