Theft: MWUN pleads with Police, Navy to beef up port security
Following the recent reports of thefts at the quay aprons of the seaports in Lagos, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on the Port Police Force, the Nigerian Navy and other agencies to be more vigilant and committed in this regard “so that our sea ports will not be branded unsafe for business at all times as expected.”
The President-General of the Union, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, made this call in a statement in Lagos while decrying the development.
Recently an incident of theft occurred on board Vessel MV ZY JU HE in EKO Support, approximately 0400hrs (4.00am) of Sunday. The information at the Union’s disposal indicates that five tins of paint from the AFT store of the said Vessel were removed including a crew member mobile phone.
According to the information, However, it was clearly observed that the unknown perpetrators didn’t access the vessel with the aid of ladder; and that the lightens surrounding the paint store was not bright enough; hence, visibility was poor and that may have aided the miscreants to perpetuate their crime.
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The safety men on board the said vessel promptly raised alarm, but that effort was not audible enough, even with the blasts of their whistles. Although, every item stolen from the vessel were thrown into the sea, while the perpetrators jumped overboard and escaped with a speed boat when the vessel alarm was activated.
Comrade Bunu said that the security at the ports quay aprons have become porous that thieves now easily access vessels and cart away items belonging to crew members and vessel maintenance materials such as paints and other valuable materials with such ease.
“I passionately plead to all the security agencies within the sea ports across the country to be more vigilant in their duties of protecting lives and property, and by making sure that the ports premises and quay aprons are adequately safe for day to day running of businesses.
“The Police Force, the Nigerian Navy and others need to be more vigilant and committed in this regard so that our sea ports will not be branded “unsafe” for business at all times as expected,” said the President-General.
