The Coalition for Women in Governance (CWIG) has condemned alleged assault on the immediate past National President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Transportation Correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Ladi Bala, by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Kayode Opeifa.
According to reports, Bala was allegedly harassed and verbally assaulted by Opeifa on Wednesday while she was covering the aftermath of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.
Journalists at the scene said Opeifa disrupted Bala’s live reporting, hurled insults at her, including “stupid,” “foolish woman,” and “useless” and ordered security operatives to forcibly remove her from the scene.
Furthermore, despite claiming his actions were for “security reasons,” Opeifa allegedly threatened to report Bala to security agencies, the Presidency and NTA management in a bid to cost her job, while vowing to bar her from covering future NRC events.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, CWIG representative, Ambassador Zainab Mohammed, said the assault of Bala is an assault on journalists, girls and women in general.
She said Opeifa’s behavior reflects a gross abuse of power and a troubling disregard for press freedom, professionalism, and the rights of women in leadership.
The group lamented that such conduct has no place in any public institution and is an affront not only to Comrade Ladi Bala but to all Nigerian women and girls who look up to her as a role model of courage, integrity, and service.
She said: “We, on behalf of the women and girls of Nigeria, strongly condemn the unacceptable and deeply disrespectful conduct of Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, towards Comrade Ladi Bala — the immediate past National President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
“It is disheartening and disgraceful that such a high-ranking public official would stoop so low as to insult and demean Comrade Ladi Bala while she was performing her professional duties — covering the unfortunate incident on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. Comrade Ladi Bala is not only a distinguished media professional but also a respected traditional titleholder and a symbol of dignity for Nigerian women journalists nationwide.
“Mr. Opeifa’s behavior reflects a gross abuse of power and a troubling disregard for press freedom, professionalism, and the rights of women in leadership. Such conduct has no place in any public institution and is an affront not only to Comrade Ladi Bala but to all Nigerian women and girls who look up to her as a role model of courage, integrity, and service.
“We therefore demand a public and written apology from Mr. Opeifa to Comrade Ladi Bala, a formal apology to the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), an apology to Nigerian women and girls for the public embarrassment and assault on the dignity of one of our most esteemed voices.
“We demand a written apology to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for bringing the image of the administration into disrepute through such reckless and unbecoming behavior.
“We call on the relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure that accountability is upheld, as silence in the face of such misconduct is complicity. Let it be clear: Nigerian women will not tolerate intimidation, disrespect, or the abuse of power not today, not ever.”
Blueprint reports that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has equally condemned Opeifa’s actions, demanding unalloyed apology and urging the NRC to take decisive measures to prevent similar incidents.