The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has condemned the alleged harassment and verbal assault of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reporter, Comrade Ladi Bala, by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
The incident occurred on August 27, 2025, when Bala, a former president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja–Kaduna rail line.
Witnesses said Opeifa disrupted her live broadcast, verbally abused her with derogatory remarks, and ordered security personnel to forcefully remove her from the scene.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ FCT Council described Opeifa’s action as “dehumanizing” and a violation of press freedom guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
“When NUJ officials reached out to the NRC boss, he cited security reasons for his action but continued to threaten Bala with reports to security agencies, the Presidency and NTA management,” the statement said.
The NUJ further accused Opeifa of insulting the Council’s Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, who attempted to mediate in the matter.
The union demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from Opeifa and urged the NRC to take steps to prevent a recurrence. It also reiterated its zero tolerance for harassment and intimidation of journalists in the FCT.