Maritime Workers Union Alarms Authorities Over Rising Vessel Thefts and Security Lapses at Lagos Seaports

MWUN President Francis Bunu warns of rising vessel thefts in Lagos, calling for Nigerian Navy intervention to protect maritime trade and port security in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 4:40 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Authority

Escalating Maritime Theft Triggers Urgent Security Review

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria has officially raised a red flag regarding the deteriorating security situation at the quay aprons of various seaports in Lagos. This alarm follows a specific criminal incursion involving the vessel MV ZY JU HE, where intruders successfully boarded the ship during the early hours of Sunday morning. Union leadership views this incident not as an isolated event, but as a symptom of a much larger, systemic failure to protect international shipping assets within Nigerian waters. The ease with which these perpetrators operate suggests that the current defensive measures are no longer sufficient to deter organized maritime theft.

Analysis of the MV ZY JU HE Security Breach

According to detailed accounts provided by the union, the recent heist resulted in the loss of maintenance supplies and personal electronics from the vessel’s aft store. Investigators noted that the thieves managed to access the ship without the use of traditional climbing equipment, taking advantage of significant structural vulnerabilities and poor lighting conditions near the paint locker. While onboard security personnel attempted to intervene by sounding alarms and using whistles, the auditory deterrents were reportedly inadequate, allowing the suspects to discard stolen goods into the sea before making a high speed escape via a waiting speedboat.

Porous Infrastructure and Tactical Vulnerabilities

Francis Bunu, the President, General of the MWUN, has characterized the port’s quay aprons as increasingly porous, a condition that grants criminals unfettered access to crew members’ personal property and essential vessel materials. The union’s assessment points to a lack of visibility and insufficient patrol frequency as primary contributors to the success of these raids. By identifying the specific tactical methods used by the thieves, such as the reliance on dark zones and water based escape routes, the union is highlighting a need for a complete overhaul of the physical security infrastructure surrounding the docking areas.