NRC Apologises to UI Lecturer Over Assault at Moniya Train Station

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued a formal apology to a lecturer at the University of Ibadan following an alleged assault involving one of its staff members at the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station.

In a letter dated March 5, 2026, the Railway District Manager for the corporation’s Western District, Naomi Itajobi, expressed “deepest apology and sincere regret” to Dr. Mikail Kolawole Abdulsalam of the university’s Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies over the incident that occurred on March 4. 

According to the letter, the incident involved an altercation between the lecturer and a locomotive driver attached to the district, identified as Tomisin Asiye. The confrontation allegedly resulted in the assault, physical injury, and public embarrassment of the academic. 

The railway management described the conduct of the staff member as “completely unacceptable” and contrary to the standards and values expected of NRC personnel when interacting with passengers and visitors. 

The corporation acknowledged that the incident occurred while Dr. Abdulsalam was assisting his sister with her journey at the station, adding that there was no justification for the behaviour displayed. 

In response to the incident, the NRC said the employee involved has been formally queried and is undergoing disciplinary procedures in line with the organisation’s administrative protocols. The management also confirmed that its headquarters had been briefed and that the corporation is cooperating with an ongoing police investigation into the matter. 

“We fully acknowledge the humiliation, pain and inconvenience this incident caused you and your family,” the letter stated, assuring the lecturer that the corporation is committed to enforcing necessary sanctions to prevent a recurrence. 

The NRC further described Dr. Abdulsalam as a “distinguished academic and esteemed member of the Ibadan community,” and appealed for his understanding as the organisation works to restore confidence in its services. 

The NRC leadership also followed the letter up with a formal visit to Dr. Abdulsalam and the University of Ibadan Muslim Community on Friday, 6th March 2026 at around 2.05 pm where their unreserved apologies were tendered. 

The team was received by the leadership of the community, led by the Prof. Mufutau Abdulrahmon and Prof. Wọlé Abass, who appealed to Dr. Abdulsalam and the entire members of the community to accept the apologies in the spirit of Ramadan. 

The Moniya station is a key stop on the rail corridor serving parts of Oyo State and the wider South-West region. The incident, which has raised concerns about staff conduct and passenger safety at railway facilities, has eventually shown that public service will only improve if the citizens continue to hold public officials to account for their actions.