The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has recognised journalist Ladi Balafor her resilience, professionalism, and dedication to factual reporting despite the verbal assault against her while covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
Following the unfortunate incident, Dr Opeifa, on Sunday bestowed upon her the honorary title of “Ambassador for Media Advocacy,” and publicly apologized to the Nigerian media for the assault on their colleague.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, Dr. Opeifa explained that his remarks were made under intense pressure while managing the crisis.
Ladi Bala, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, was reportedly subjected to unprovoked verbal attacks by Dr Opeifa while performing her official duties at the derailment scene.
The NUJ FCT Council had called Opeifa for his conduct, describing it as dehumanizing and a serious violation of press freedom.
But in his apology Opeifa said, “I wish to sincerely apologize for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on both the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ.
“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 explained that the derailment involved eight coaches and one locomotive, placing huge demands on his team to coordinate rescue efforts, inform the presidency and the public, and activate emergency procedures simultaneously.
On the day of the accident, the NRC’s newly revised emergency protocol was immediately put into action, engaging key agencies such as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, FCT Administration, and Nigerian military.
Dr Opeifa said there were 618 passengers onboard at the time of the derailment. Seven coaches and the locomotive were damaged, with around 20 passengers sustaining injuries, seven critically.
The NRC quickly provided replacement coaches to evacuate stranded passengers and began contact tracing using passenger manifests within 45 minutes of the crash.
“Some passengers had already traveled to nearby towns, but we managed to trace them by phone,” he added. “I personally visited at least seven injured passengers, including one who had made his way to Zaria.”
He also praised the swift response from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, police, local vigilantes, and other emergency personnel, whose actions saved lives.
Ambulances and medical teams were deployed by NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, and FCT Administration. Medical staff on the trains prioritized life-saving efforts at the scene.
Opeifa again apologised to Bala, acknowledging she bore the brunt of his earlier comments, saying, “To her, I offer my fullest apology. I also extend the same to the NTA, NAWOJ, and the wider journalism community.”
He described himself as a longtime advocate for human rights and trade unionism, recalling his history with the Campaign for Democracy, leadership in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at LASU, and involvement in the June 12 struggle.
“I have fought alongside journalists before; I am not their enemy,” he stressed.
