The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has condemned in strong terms the attack on truckers at Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TCIT), Tincan Island Port on 6th of February by hoodlums allegedly hired by the Lagos State Cargo & Transport Committee (LASTCOC).
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, in a statement signed by the Union’s Head of Media, John Ikemefuna, expressed concern over the prolonged attack during which many truckers were assaulted with machetes and other dangerous weapons, leaving them with various degrees of injuries.
“The thugs in their large numbers wielding all kinds of dangerous weapons came into the Tincan Port to impose illegal sales of ticket at the gate beginning from the Tincan Port. It was the ensued heated argument between the hoodlums and the truck drivers that gave rise to the ugly crisis.
“It took the efforts of the security agencies at the port to douse the tension after serious exchange of gunshots by the hoodlums and the security agencies.
“We as a union frowns at this incessant criminality that’s always giving room to person’s and group of people or associations, who have no business at the port and within the axis, coming to breach the peace of doing legitimate businesses at the maritime sector, ” the statement said.
The Union emphasized the need for highlighted security measures to safeguard individuals, truckers and properties within and around the port.
It also urged security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring a secure environment for legitimate businesses in the maritime sector, citing previous attacks on Tincan Port that claimed lives and damaged vehicles.
“It would be recalled that several attacks from same faceless associations also rocked the Tincan Port claiming lives and destroying vehicles at the port.
“The Maritime Workers Union is appealing to all the security agencies at the ports to please be vigilant and be more proactive in the security of persons, truckers and property in and around the ports, as no good business thrives in the face of hostilities and crisis as we have experienced in recent times, ” the statement concluded.
