MWUN pledges more support for Port Police on security

The President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has stated that the Union would work with the new Commissioner of Police, Western Port Police Command, Lagos, Agbaminoja Iyabode Oluwatoyin (Mrs), and her officers and men to ensure a progressive security network in the seaport and its environ.

MWUN President General made this pledged on Monday, November 3, 2025 during a courtesy visit to the Police Commissioner at her office located at the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa.

Comrade Bunu said it is the culture of the Union to always visit every new Commissioner of Police to the Western Port Police Command and the visit to CP Agbanimoja would not be different, saying the purpose of the visit was to interface with her and she too gets acquainted with the Union executive for effective synergy of the port security architecture.

“It is a fact that the issue of security in the port is very paramount; therefore, both parties’ synergy in this regard must not be undermined in all ramifications. CP Agbanimoja’s reign at the Command would be successful and that will demand our collective primary efforts to achieve the target, given our longstanding relationship in the maritme sector, which must continue to wax stronger, as MWUN holds this Command in great esteem.

“Let me also tell us that before coming here today, my indefatigable predecessor, PG Emeritus, Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju told me that CP Iyabode is “Our Own”; and we must treat her as such.

“So, in view of that description from the PG Emeritus, the Union is also saying that we are Your Own Too; based on this premise, the Union welcomes you on board; saying the Union is always open to you for operational discussions and useful information that will help both parties to strike all necessary balance in pursuit of securing the port at all times,” said the PG.

The labour leader used the opportunity to introduced to the Commissioner of Police, Comrades Agboola Bolaji, President of Dockworkers Branch and his counterpart, Olufemi Oluyinka Abass of the Shipping Branch respectively, saying the two Union officers are always on the ground to response to any matters should the Commissioner needs any relevant assistance urgently as he might be sometimes unavoidably absent while attending to national issues, given the nature of his office.

The PG told the Police Commissioner that the Union has four branches: the Dockworkers, Seafarers & NIWA, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and the Shipping, which constitute the entire Union.

In response, CP Iyabode Agbanimoja thanked Comrade Bunu and his entourage, describing them as resourceful comrades and the visit, a timely and expected one.

The Police Commissioner said the Port is the Union’s constituency and “as Police Officers, we are on ground towards making sure that the port is safe for us all; hence, it is not just the duty of the Police alone who will carry out the daunting task of securing the port, it is our collective efforts that the port must be safe for its daily activities, which involves the concerted efforts of all of us.

“And to achieve this maximum result, knowing full well that security business is not just for the police alone but with the involvement of the Maritme Workers Union, and other stakeholders as well in the sector. The Union is it were is our strongest ally and we must synergies effectively and strategically together in firm of purpose, remain focused to make sure we all succeed towards making sure the port is a safe space in the industry for a thriving local and international trades.

“In addition, both organizations must share adequate and useful information to help us succeed in this onerous task of protecting the port and its genuine businesses.

“As the Commissioner of Police in the Command, we talk to ourselves regularly on how to treat the people civilly and not to intimidate our Comrades, who are partners in progress in the industry as we carry out the daily activities in the port. CP Iyabode further reiterated that the Port is our constituency and the business of securing it will continue to be our major concern and primary responsibilities; hence, the Union and the Police must continue to work together in one good spirit and faith to ensuring the Port is properly secured for all and sundry doing legitimate businesses within the port and its environment, while appreciating the Union for this all important visit.”