The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), under the leadership of its President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has condemned the increasing incidents of theft at the quay aprons of Lagos seaports.
A recent case occurred aboard Vessel MV ZY JU HE at EKO Support around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday. Reports indicate that five tins of paint from the vessel’s aft store and a crew member’s mobile phone were stolen.
Investigations revealed that the perpetrators did not board the vessel using a ladder. Poor lighting around the paint store created low visibility, which may have aided the criminals. Although safety personnel on board raised alarms and blew whistles, the warnings were not loud enough to deter the thieves. The stolen items were later thrown into the sea as the culprits escaped by speedboat once the vessel’s alarm was activated.
Comrade Bunu expressed outrage, describing port security as “porous” and warning that thieves now easily access vessels to cart away crew belongings and maintenance materials. He stressed that such lapses could damage Nigeria’s reputation, branding its seaports as unsafe for business.
The MWUN leader issued a passionate appeal to all security agencies operating within the ports—including the Police and Nigerian Navy—to intensify vigilance and ensure the safety of lives, property, and maritime operations. He emphasized that only a secure environment can guarantee smooth business activities and sustain investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.