The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has issued a public apology after verbally harassing veteran journalist Ladi Bala during her coverage of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.
The incident, which occurred on August 26, 2025, involved a passenger train with 618 passengers onboard.
The derailment saw several coaches topple off the tracks, injuring at least 20 passengers, seven of whom sustained serious injuries.
The chaos surrounding the crash site created a tense atmosphere as emergency response teams scrambled to rescue passengers and restore order.
Amid this pressure, Dr. Opeifa was reported to have lashed out at Ladi Bala, a respected correspondent with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and former president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
His conduct quickly drew outrage from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT chapter, which condemned the harassment and demanded a formal apology.
The NUJ stressed that journalists have a constitutional duty to report events of national interest without intimidation or obstruction.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, August 31, the NRC boss admitted his error, describing his comments as “regrettable.”
“I wish to sincerely apologise for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ,” Dr. Opeifa said.
“Acting under pressure and in the heat of the moment while trying to ensure safety, I uttered some unkind words for which I take full responsibility.”
He further acknowledged Bala’s professionalism and described her as an “ambassador for media advocacy.”
The NRC MD extended his apology not only to Bala personally but also to NTA, NAWOJ, and the entire Nigerian journalism community, stressing that he values the media as essential partners in transparency and public accountability.
Dr. Opeifa explained that the derailment involved one locomotive and eight coaches, most of which were wrecked in the accident.
He said his team was under intense pressure to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, including:
Coordinating passenger rescue operations
Updating the Presidency on the situation
Briefing the public and media
Mobilising emergency agencies
The NRC said its updated emergency response plan was immediately activated, with assistance from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Health, the Kaduna State Government, the FCT Administration, the Nigerian Army, and other key stakeholders.
The NUJ welcomed the apology but reiterated its stance on press freedom. Grace Ike, chairperson of the NUJ FCT chapter, said journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“We will persist in fighting for our members’ rights and freedom of speech, which is a right, not a privilege,” she said.
“We appreciate the apology, but we want to be clear: every form of harassment of journalists must be dismantled.”
She further emphasised that the safety of journalists during emergencies is critical, as they serve as a bridge between the public and government institutions.
The derailment has once again drawn attention to the safety of Nigeria’s railway system, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, which has been plagued by security threats and infrastructure challenges in recent years.
In March 2022, terrorists attacked an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, killing several passengers and abducting dozens more, sparking nationwide outrage and leading to months of service suspension.
The latest incident has revived concerns about maintenance, funding, and operational safety within the NRC.
Already, the House of Representatives has announced plans to probe both the NRC and its Chinese contractor, CCECC, over the circumstances surrounding the derailment.
While his apology has been acknowledged, analysts say Dr. Opeifa must now focus on rebuilding public confidence in the NRC, not only in terms of infrastructure safety but also in the institution’s relationship with the media.
Observers note that journalists play a vital role in shaping public perception and ensuring accountability.
Confrontations between government officials and the press, they warn, risk damaging trust and fueling further criticism of Nigeria’s already fragile transportation system.
For now, the NRC says investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the derailment.
The agency has pledged transparency in publishing its findings while working with the federal government to implement stronger safety measures across all train routes.