The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council has condemned the harassment, intimidation and verbal assault on the immediate past President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Transport Reporter of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Ladi Bala, by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
THE NUJ FCT Council also demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from Mr Opeifa, with a call to the NRC to take action that would prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, on Friday, August 29, the NUJ said the conduct of the NRC MD was a violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of journalists, particularly women in the profession.
It stated further that the MD’s act was a grave threat to press freedom and the safety of those committed to delivering truthful information to the public.
The FCT Council recalled how, on August 27, 2025, while performing her professional and legal duties by covering the aftermath of the train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, Comrade Bala was subjected to unprovoked assault by the MD.
Opeifa reportedly uttered words such as: “You are stupid, your management is stupid, foolish woman. Look at you, you are not even properly dressed; useless. Who is watching NTA?“ and so on.
The NRC MD, who was said to have aggressively questioned her presence, disrupted her live reporting in the process and allegedly threatened her with physical removal.
According to the statement, Opeifa eventually ordered security personnel to bundle the former NAWOJ President away from the scene.
Other journalists who were at the scene confirmed the verbal assault by Opeifa, with him using derogatory and demeaning words, including personal attacks on Bala’s appearance and professionalism.
The statement read further that when FCT NUJ executive reached out to the Managing Director, he cited security reasons for not allowing her to do live streaming but continued to threaten Mrs Bala that he would report her to the security agencies, Presidency and NTA management and ensure that she is sacked from her office.
He also said he would not allow the harassed journalist to cover any event of the corporation he is on charge of.
Further, he reportedly threatened and insulted the NUJ Chairman, Grace Ike, who tried to hear his own side of the story in order to resolve the issue.
“This conduct of Mr. Opeifa was not only dehumanising, but a 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 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 democracy and human rights,” the FCT NUJ Secretary said in the statement.
The NUJ FCT council stated that it stands firmly in solidarity with Comrade Bala, reiterating its zero tolerance for any form of harassment, intimidation or abuse of journalists, most especially women journalists.
“In the light of this, the NUJ demands an immediate and unreserved public apology from Mr. Kayode Opeifa and calls on the Nigerian Railway Corporation to take decisive action to prevent any recurrence of such incident.
“NUJ FCT council condemns this act in its totality and has zero tolerance for harassment and Intimidation of journalists in the FCT.
“The union will pursue all necessary channels to ensure accountability and safeguard the rights and welfare of journalists in the FCT and beyond.
“The council urges relevant authorities to support a conducive and respectful working environment for media practitioners, recognising their essential role in the society,” the statement read.
