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From Bimbola Oyesola
President-general of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Francis Bunu, has raised concerns over poor policing of Lagos port waterfronts.
Bunu, in an interview recently, described attacks on vessels at berth as unacceptable in a regulated port environment, stressing that such incidents undermined confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to him, marine police are mandated to secure berthed vessels through effective patrols and surveillance across port waterfronts.
“Why would a vessel berth and people come across the water in numbers to attack it?
“These vessels are foreign-owned. How do they want Nigeria to be viewed in the international community?” Bunu queried.
He said such breaches revealed lapses in coordination among security agencies, warning that urgent action was needed to restore confidence.
“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We cannot have these attacks without decisive intervention from responsible agencies,” he said.
Bunu reacted to a recent breach at Eko Support Terminal, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a berthed vessel last week.
He noted that the incident heightened concerns among ship operators and port users about safety within Nigerian ports.
The MWUN President warned that repeated attacks at berths could discourage international shipping lines and worsen Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.
He called for a stronger security presence around port berths and waterfronts, stressing that such insecurity raises broader concerns about territorial waters.
Bunu urged security agencies and port authorities to review surveillance and patrol systems to prevent further attacks and reassure global operators.
