There are strong indications that ports thieves, otherwise known as ‘wharf rats’ are gradually finding their ways back to the Lagos Ports Complex.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed the presence of these miscreants, even as one of our correspondents witnessed a scene where ‘wharf rats’ made away with some bags of wheat on Tuesday at the Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABTL).
There are strong indications that ports thieves, otherwise known as ‘wharf rats’ are gradually finding their ways back to the Lagos Ports Complex.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed the presence of these miscreants, even as one of our correspondents witnessed a scene where ‘wharf rats’ made away with some bags of wheat on Tuesday at the Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABTL).
Our correspondent saw six men scooping the commodity at the quay area of ABTL in Apapa port, they scooped the imported commodity into three large bags before thrown the bags across the terminal’s high fence.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the practice has been on the increase in the last five months.
Also a petty trader at the bridge by the terminal (name withheld) also confirmed that theft of items like wheat has been on the rise.
He charged the terminal operator to beef up security at all its thoroughfare saying that the adjoining area is becoming an haven for hoodlums
According to him, the need for the port police officers to monitor the situation is germane.
"ABTL is one terminal at the Lagos Ports Complex that is suffering at the moment due to the way these criminals operate at the port to steal cargoes”, he added.
She further disclosed that apart from ABTL , ENL terminal and Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) also experience similar thefts, alleging that security at the port in Apapa is porous.
Our correspondent who also visited the railway lines and the thoroughfare around the terminal yesterday, confirmed the presence of suspected wharf rats in dozens, stealing commodities suspected to be wheat and rice in smaller quantities.
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