MWUN decries incessant thefts at quay aprons of Lagos ports
By Uzor Odigbo
The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by President-General Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has condemned the rising incidents of theft at the quay aprons of Lagos seaports.
A recent case occurred aboard the vessel MV ZY JU HE at Eko Support Terminal around Sunday, when unknown perpetrators stole five tins of paint from the aft store, along with a crew member’s mobile phone.
Investigations by the union indicate the thieves did not board via a ladder. Poor lighting around the paint store likely aided the crime, as visibility was inadequate.
Safety personnel on board raised the alarm immediately and blew whistles, but the calls went largely unheard. When the vessel’s main alarm was activated, the thieves threw the stolen items into the sea, jumped overboard, and escaped in a speedboat.
Contacted on the matter, Comrade Bunu expressed fury over the porous security at the ports’ quay aprons, which now allows thieves easy access to berthed vessels to cart away crew belongings and maintenance materials such as paints and other valuables.
The maritime labour activist and expert made a passionate appeal to all security agencies operating within Nigeria’s seaports to exercise greater vigilance in protecting lives and property. He urged them to ensure the premises and quay aprons are adequately secured for daily business operations.
He specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Navy to demonstrate stronger commitment in this regard, warning that continued lapses could brand Nigerian seaports as “unsafe” for international business.
