The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has strongly condemned what it described as the harassment, intimidation, and verbal assault of Comrade Ladi Bala, immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Transport Reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
The incident occurred on August 27, 2025, when Comrade Bala was covering the aftermath of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment.
She was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and derogatory remarks 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?” Witnesses said the NRC boss disrupted her live reporting, ordered security personnel to forcefully remove her, and threatened her with dismissal from her job.
When contacted, Opeifa reportedly cited “security reasons” for stopping her live broadcast but allegedly vowed to report her to security agencies, the Presidency, and NTA management, as well as bar her from future NRC events. He also insulted NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, who intervened to resolve the matter.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ FCT Council described the incident as a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of journalists, especially women in the profession, and a grave threat to press freedom.
The council called for accountability and urged relevant authorities to ensure the protection of journalists in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
