THE president-general of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, on Wednesday accused security agencies operating in the nation’s ports of dereliction of duty following a rise in attacks on vessels while at berth at the Lagos ports.
Bunu specifically blamed the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police unit of the Nigeria Police Force for failing to adequately secure port waters and waterfronts, warning that the trend could damage the country’s reputation in the global maritime community.
Speaking when members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) paid him a visit ahead of the 2026 edition of the annual Dockworkers’ Day celebration, the MWUN leader said attacks on ships at berth are unacceptable in a regulated port environment.
According to him, the Marine Police are primarily responsible for the protection, safety and security of vessels once they berth, as they are mandated to patrol and secure the waterfront.
“Why will a vessel berth and people will come from across the water in their numbers to attack the vessel at the berth?” he asked.
“These vessels are foreign-owned and how do they want Nigeria to be viewed in the international community?”
Bunu lamented that such incidents indicate lapses in security coordination among relevant agencies, stressing that the situation should be urgently addressed.
“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We can’t be having those attacks and nothing is being done to stop them by the agency responsible,” he said.
His comments come in the wake of a recent security breach at the Eko Support Terminal in Lagos, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a vessel while it was already berthed at the facility last week. The incident, industry sources said, raised fresh concerns among ship operators and port users about the safety of vessels within Nigerian ports.
Stakeholders fear that repeated attacks at berths, areas that are supposed to be among the most secure sections of the port, could discourage international shipping lines and worsen the country’s maritime risk profile.
Bunu, Bunu, therefore called for a strengthened security presence around port berths and waterfronts, warning that insecurity in such controlled areas raises deeper concerns about safety in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Speaking earlier, the president of SCAN, Mr Moses Ebosele, commended Bonu for protecting member’s interest, adding that the visit forms part of preparation for the 2026 Dockworkers Day event organized by SCAN.
Ebosele solicited the support of maritime workers to make the event a huge success.
According to Ebosele, this year’s celebration will emphasize the importance of environmentally practices and modern technologies in Nigeria’s seaports, reflecting the ongoing commitment to sustainability within the maritime industry.
Ebosele said the 2026 theme: “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices For Dockworkers,” will guide discussions among major stakeholders in the maritime sector, including industry leaders, policy makers, and environmental advocates.