By Seun Ibiyemi
The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Francis Bunu, has expressed concern over poor policing of waterfronts at Lagos ports, warning that rising attacks on vessels could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Bunu spoke in Lagos when members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) visited the union’s headquarters ahead of the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day.
He described recent attacks on berthed vessels as unacceptable in a regulated port environment, stressing that such incidents pose serious reputational risks for Nigeria in the international maritime community.
“Why will 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 globally?” he queried.
Bunu said the responsibility of securing vessels at berth lies with marine police through effective patrols and surveillance, noting that the breaches indicate lapses in coordination among security agencies.
“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We cannot have these attacks without decisive intervention from responsible agencies,” he said.
He specifically referenced a recent incident at Eko Support Terminal, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a berthed vessel, heightening concerns among ship operators and port users.
According to him, repeated security breaches could discourage international shipping lines and worsen Nigeria’s maritime risk profile if not urgently addressed.
Read also:NUPRC, SeaSeis signs offshore exploration deal to boost Nigeria’s oil prospects
The MWUN leader called for increased security presence across port waterfronts and urged relevant authorities to strengthen surveillance and patrol systems to prevent further attacks.
Earlier, SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, commended Bunu for his leadership and commitment to protecting maritime workers.
Ebosele said the visit formed part of preparations for the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day, which will focus on promoting sustainable practices in the maritime sector.
He disclosed that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,” will highlight the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies while sustaining trade and economic growth.
Ebosele added that stakeholders would also explore strategies to strengthen the role of dockworkers in advancing a green and resilient maritime economy.
