…Demands unreserved public apology
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has condemned in strong terms, the harassment, intimidation, and verbal assault meted out on one of its members, Comrade Ladi Bala, a Manager News with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
The NUJ noted that on August 27, 2025, while performing her professional and constitutional duties of covering the aftermath of the train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, Comrade Bala, who is the immediate past National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Transport correspondent of the NTA was unduly subjected to unprovoked assault by Opeifa, who used words like “you are stupid”, “your management is stupid”, “foolish woman,” “look at you,” “you are not even properly dressed,” “useless,” “Who is watching NTA” amongst other verbal and unpalatable verbal language.
Opeifa, who aggressively questioned her presence, disrupted her live reporting in the process and allegedly threatened her with physical removal, and eventually ordered security personnel to bundle her away from the scene.
Other journalists who were at the scene were take aback and surprised at the unprovoked and unwarranted verbal assault of the MD who used derogatory and demeaning language, including personal attacks on Comrade Bala’s appearance and professionalism.
More worrisome, when the officials of the NUJ reached out to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Opeifa cited security reasons for not allowing Comrade Bala to do live streaming, but surprisingly further threatened that he would report Ladi Bala her to the security agencies, the President and NTA management and ensure she is sacked from her work.
Opeifa also vowed that he would not allow the harassed journalist to cover any event of the Nigerian Railway Corporation that he oversees.
The NRC MD also threatened and insulted the NUJ FCT, Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, who made attempt to listen to his own side of the story with a view to find an amicable resolution.
A statement by the Secretary of the NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle on Friday, August 29, 2025, described the behaviour of the NRC MD, Mr Opeifa as a blatant violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of human person of the journalist, especially women in the profession.
The NUJ particularly noted that Opeifa’s unprovoked action and attack against a journalist who was only carrying out her duty remains a grave threat to press freedom and the safety of those committed to delivering truthful information to the public.
The statement further said; “This conduct of Mr. Opeifa was not only dehumanizing but a blatant violation of the journalist’s right to freedom of expression and press freedom as guaranteed under Section 22 and Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
“It is an affront on democracy and the rule of law and such acts of intimidation and violence undermine the fundamental role of journalism in promoting transparency, accountability, and public enlightenment.
“The inane attitude of Mr. Opeifa is another clear indication of growing hostility against the media in Nigeria and intolerant posture of government officials to accountability and public scrutiny. Such conduct is unacceptable and contrary to the values of decency, democracy and human rights,” it stated.
The NUJ FCT council declared that it stands firmly in solidarity with Comrade Ladi Bala and reiterated its commitment to zero tolerance for any form of harassment, intimidation, or abuse of journalists, most especially women journalists.
Accordingly, the NUJ demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from Mr. Kayode Opeifa and called on the Nigerian Railway Corporation to take decisive actions to prevent any recurrence of such incidents
The NUJ FCT Council while condemning the unprovoked act in its totality, stressed that it has zero tolerance for harassment and intimidation of journalists in the FCT, stressing that it would pursue all necessary channels to ensure accountability and safeguard the rights and welfare of journalists in the FCT and beyond.
The NUJ FCT Council urged relevant authorities to support a conducive and respectful working environment for media practitioners, recognizing their essential role in the society.
