The union also demanded a public apology from Opeifa for allegedly subjecting the journalist to humiliation and assault.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of Comrade Ladi Bala, a reporter with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.
The union also demanded a public apology from Opeifa for allegedly subjecting the journalist to humiliation and assault.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Council, Jide Oyekunle, on Friday in Abuja.
Ladi was said to have been assigned to do a follow-up story on the train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and returned to the scene of the accident where he met Opeifa and a team of engineers trying to remove the fallen coaches.
Upon sighting the journalist who was live streaming the operation, Opeifa became aggressive as he vehemently questioned her presence, disrupted her live reporting in the process and allegedly threatened her.
He thereafter ordered security personnel to bundle her away from the scene.
Opeifa did not stop there as he hurled a tirade of abuse and derogatory words on the female journalist.
The statement read in part “On August 27, 2025, while performing her professional and legal duties covering the aftermath of the train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, Comrade Ladi Bala of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was subjected to unprovoked assault by the MD using 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?” and so on.
“According to other journalists who were at the scene, the MD verbally assaulted her with derogatory and demeaning language, including personal attacks on her appearance and professionalism.
“When NUJ officials reached out to the Managing Director, he cited security reasons for not allowing her to do live streaming but continued to threaten Ladi Bala that he would report her to the security agencies, Presidency and NTA management and ensure she is sacked from her office.
“He also said he would not allow the harassed journalist to cover any event of the corporation where he oversees.
“He even threatened and insulted the NUJ Chairman, Grace Ike who tried to hear his own side of the story and tried to resolve the situation.
“This conduct of Mr. Opeifa was not only dehumanising 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 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 NUJ FCT council stands firmly in solidarity with Comrade Ladi Bala and reiterates its commitment to 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 actions to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.”
“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.”
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