Press Freedom Under Attack: NUJ, NAWOJ Slam NRC MD Kayode Opeifa for Harassing Journalist Ladi Bala, Demand Public Apology
By Glory Mfoniso
The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council and have strongly condemned the verbal abuse, harassment, and intimidation of Comrade Ladi Bala, a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) transport reporter and immediate past NAWOJ President, by Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Both unions are demanding a public apology published in national dailies and aired on radio or television, alongside assurances that such incidents will never recur.
They further insist that the apology be extended to the Nigerian Television Authority, which was demeaned in the course of the assault.
The Incident
The incident occurred on August 27, 2025, while Bala was reporting live on the collaborative efforts of various agencies to resore normalcy after the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train near Asham Station on August 26, 2026 .
Eyewitness journalists said Opeifa disrupted her coverage and launched into a tirade of insults, using words 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?”.
In a statement by NUJ FCT signed by the Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the Union described Opeifa’s actions as “a blatant violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of human person, of the journalists, especially women in the profession, and a grave threat to press freedom and the safety of those committed to delivering truthful information to the public.”
The council further warned: “This conduct of Mr. Opeifa was not only dehumanizing 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.”
Opeifa allegedly ordered security to forcibly remove Bala, threatening to report her to the Presidency and NTA management, and vowing to bar her from future NRC coverage.
An attempt at intervention and resolution, by the NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike also resulted in vitriolic insults by the NRC boss.
In its statement, the NUJ noted that : “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.”
Both NUJ and NAWOJ are demanding an “immediate, unreserved public apology published in at least two national dailies and aired on radio or television, alongside “internal NRC measures to prevent a recurrence.”
The NUJ emphasized: “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, recognizing their essential role in the society.”
Background: Nigeria’s Press Freedom Struggles
Ladi Bala, an award winning reporter with the NTA, and erstwhile President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) is widely respected for her reportage on transportation and gender issues amongst other beats.
Similarly, NAWOJ, in a statement signed by its National Chairperson, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, and National Secretary, Comrade Wasilah Ladan, declared:
“The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has taken a firm stance against the harassment of Comrade Ladi Bala, immediate past National Chairperson of the association, by the Managing Director of the National Railway Corporation, NRC, Kayode Opeifa, and is hereby demanding a public apology published in more than one national daily and same also aired in an electronic media organization, i.e Radio or Television, and action to prevent future incidents.”
NAWOJ also insisted that:
“For also demeaning the Nigeria Television Authority, her media establishment, an apology should also be sent to that foremost media organization.”
Emphasizing the wider implications, the association added:
“This statement underscores the importance of press freedom and journalists’ safety in promoting transparency and accountability.”
Reaffirming its commitment, NAWOJ further asserted:
“We assert that the wellbeing and protection of our members is of paramount importance and interest to us and ask the MD to as a matter of urgency do the needful.”
The association stressed that harassment, intimidation, or any attempt to silence journalists will not be tolerated.
Context of Rail Safety and Media Harassment
Bala’s reporting was focused on highlighting the aftermath efforts by agencies owing to yet another derailment on Tuesday, August 26th 2025.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor has become a flashpoint for security and operational concerns.
Since 2020, the line has recorded at least five derailments according to NRC operational data.
Kayode Opeifa prior to assumption as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, served as Vice Chairman and team leader of the Presidential Committee charged with the task of decongesting the Apapa Port and its access roads, an assignment he discharged creditably.
In 2017, he was appointed Transport Secretary for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in July 2011, he was sworn in as the Commissioner for Transportation Lagos State, having served in 2007 as Special Adviser on Transportation by Governor Babatunde Fashola.
He was also a University Lecturer at the Lagos State University before transiting into politics.
Press Freedom at Stake
The harassment of Ladi Bala highlights worsening hostility toward the press in Nigeria.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 56 Nigerian journalists were attacked, harassed, or detained while covering protests in August 2024
[CPJ, Aug. 2024](https://cpj.org/thetorch/2024/08/in-nigeria-at-least-56-journalists-attacked-and-harassed-as-protests-roil-region)).
Globally, Nigeria ranks 122 out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, having dropped 10 places from 2024 . [Reporters Without Borders / FIJ, 2025](https://fij.ng/article/nigeria-drops-10-places-in-press-freedom-ranking)).
Women journalists face particular risks with UNESCO estimating that only 22% of newsroom leadership roles globally are held by women [CIMA/UNESCO, 2023] (https://www.cima.ned.org/publication/breaking-barriers-a-whole-of-society-approach-to-gender-equality-in-media-development)).
NAWOJ notes that Bala’s ordeal reflects a wider pattern of gender-based harassment against female reporters in Nigeria.
Bala’s reporting was duly assigned by NTA , when she was interrupted, harrassed, intimidated and traumatised by Opeifa.
Reactions and Next Steps
Media practitioners have expressed solidarity with Bala, On X (formerly Twitter), several media watchdogs have demanded accountability, with one post by @NigerianMedia reading: “NRC must apologize—journalists deserve respect!”
Both NUJ and NAWOJ have vowed to pursue legal and institutional measures, warning that Opeifa’s behavior undermines democracy, transparency, and accountability.
The joint outrage from NUJ and NAWOJ situates Bala’s harassment within a troubling national context where “attacks on journalists are rising”.
The unions insist that only a “clear public apology and concrete safeguards” will restore trust, uphold the dignity of journalists, and protect the constitutional right to press freedom.
