NRC Investigates Assault Allegation Against UI Lecturer at Moniya Station

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has launched an investigation into an **alleged assault on a lecturer from the University of Ibadan (UI) at the Moniya train station in Oyo State, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The incident reportedly occurred on [specific date if available], when the academic was reportedly involved in a confrontation with NRC staff and/or security personnel at the Moniya rail station. Details remain sketchy, but eye‑witness accounts suggest that the lecturer sustained physical injuries during the altercation before other commuters intervened and security operatives were called to the scene.

Following complaints from the lecturer and concerned passengers, the NRC’s management announced that it has set up a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, including reviewing available footage from station cameras, interviewing witnesses and questioning staff members who were on duty at the time.

In a brief statement, the NRC said it “takes the safety and dignity of passengers and members of the public very seriously” and pledged to ensure a thorough, impartial probe into the matter. The corporation added that appropriate disciplinary or legal action would be taken against any staff found culpable.

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The alleged assault has sparked reactions on social media, with many users calling for transparency in the investigation and respectful treatment of passengers by transportation officials. Some commenters urged the NRC to release statements and evidence as the probe progresses to reassure the public.

Sources also indicate that the affected lecturer received medical attention following the incident, though the extent of the injuries has not been officially disclosed.

The NRC has advised commuters who witnessed the incident to cooperate with investigators and provide any information that may assist in clarifying what happened.

As the probe continues, the outcome is expected to determine whether any NRC personnel will face sanctions or criminal charges, and whether changes to staff conduct policies at train stations will be implemented.

This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the NRC to improve rail safety and customer service standards as part of broader reforms within Nigeria’s railway sector.

NRC Investigates Assault Allegation Against UI Lecturer at Moniya Station

NRC seeks state backing for railway police, unveils plan to electrify rail lines

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has called for stronger collaboration between state governments and the railway police, warning that safeguarding rail infrastructure is central to protecting Nigeria’s mobility corridors and sustaining economic growth.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a flagship programme on Channels Television, on Saturday, Opeifa said the railway police currently operate in 26 states and should be treated by state governments as an integral part of their local security architecture.

According to him, rail lines cut across multiple states and serve as critical national assets whose protection requires coordinated security efforts beyond federal agencies alone.

“The security of railway infrastructure is tied to the security of our mobility corridors,” he said, urging state authorities to actively support the Railway Police to prevent vandalism and other threats to the network.

Drawing from his experience as a former commissioner in Lagos, Opeifa recalled how Railway Police personnel once assisted the state government during the cleanup of the Oshodi transport hub, describing it as an example of how inter-agency collaboration can protect strategic public infrastructure.

“The history of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is the history of Nigeria itself,” he said, noting that the challenges facing the rail system often mirror broader national development issues.

Opeifa traced the current wave of railway modernisation to 2015, when the country began shifting from narrow gauge to modern standard gauge rail lines under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He noted that several landmark rail projects were delivered during that period, including the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, Warri–Itakpe line, Abuja Rail Mass Transit and the Lagos–Ibadan Railway, while work also began on the ambitious Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor.

The NRC boss also highlighted the constitutional amendment that moved railway from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, saying the reform has opened the door for states such as Lagos, Kano, Ogun and Plateau to participate more actively in rail development.

He disclosed that the corporation has developed a national rail map that shows how emerging state rail projects can connect with the national rail network to create a more integrated transport system.

As part of its long-term strategy, Opeifa revealed that the NRC plans to electrify major rail corridors within the next five years, starting with Warri and Lagos where gas resources could support power generation for electric train operations.

He said electrification would improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and align Nigeria’s railway operations with global best practices.

Beyond infrastructure expansion, the NRC chief also addressed operational challenges such as ticket racketeering, attributing the problem largely to high passenger demand.

To curb the practice, he said the corporation has introduced a double verification process for passengers—one check at the waiting area and another during boarding—which has significantly reduced illegal ticket sales.

Opeifa further assured travellers that security on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor remains strong, noting that train operations and station activities are monitored from a central control room. He added that the corporation plans to replicate similar monitoring systems on other routes.

In response to rising passenger traffic, he disclosed that the number of daily trips on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service has been increased to three.

Looking ahead, Opeifa said the corporation is also exploring ways to harness the tourism and entertainment potential of railway services, promising that the NRC will continue expanding operations while positioning rail transport as a key driver of national integration and economic development.

NRC Expands Abuja–Kaduna Train Service with Additional Trips 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an expansion of services on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), adding extra daily trips to meet the rising demand of commuters along one of Nigeria’s busiest rail corridors. The revised schedule takes effect Friday, March 6, 2026.

According to NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the expansion is intended to provide more travel options, enhance operational flexibility, and improve service delivery for passengers on the route. He urged commuters to review the updated timetable and plan their journeys accordingly.

The Abuja–Kaduna corridor had previously experienced operational disruptions due to a bomb blast on March 28, 2022, and a derailment on August 26, 2025, which reduced the number of trains in service from three to one. Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs) were introduced for safety, and daily trips were adjusted to match the limited rolling stock. With stability now restored, NRC has reinstated and expanded services in response to sustained passenger demand.

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Under the new schedule, passengers travelling between Idu and Rigasa stations will have three trips on Fridays, Sundays, Saturdays, and Mondays, and two trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, trains depart Idu at 8:45 a.m. and return from Rigasa at 2:30 p.m. On Fridays and Sundays, departures from Idu are at 7:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., with return trips from Rigasa at 11:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Mondays, services leave Rigasa at 7:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and depart Idu at 11:00 a.m., with all trains making scheduled stops at Kubwa.

NRC said the expanded trips are part of its ongoing commitment to improving rail capacity, reliability, safety, and overall passenger experience across the network. The corporation noted that the adjustments will ensure smoother travel, reduce overcrowding, and strengthen connectivity between Abuja and Kaduna for both commuters and business travellers.

With the additional services, NRC aims to restore confidence in rail travel and position the Abuja–Kaduna corridor as a reliable and safe alternative to road transport, particularly for daily commuters and long-distance travellers.

NRC Expands Abuja–Kaduna Train Service with Additional Trips