NRC Management Visits, Tenders Apology to UI Lecturer Assaulted by Staff

Ibadan, Oyo State – Top management staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Mikail Abdulsalam, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI), following his assault by a corporation employee at the Obafemi Awolowo Railway Station in Moniya, Ibadan. The visit, which included a formal letter of apology, comes days after the incident sparked public outrage and led to the arrest of two NRC staff by the Oyo State Police Command.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, Dr. Abdulsalam, who teaches in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at UI, was brutally assaulted on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, while assisting his sister with her luggage at the station ahead of her train journey to Lagos. Eyewitnesses described how the lecturer, maintaining a calm demeanor, was harassed, beaten, and publicly embarrassed by NRC personnel, including a locomotive driver identified as Mr. Tomisin Asiye. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a misunderstanding at the parking lot, escalating into physical violence despite the victim’s non-confrontational approach.

In response, officers from the Moniya Division of the Oyo State Police Command swiftly intervened, arresting two suspects on the spot, while a third individual remains at large. The arrests have been confirmed by multiple sources, with the police emphasizing their commitment to investigating the matter thoroughly to ensure justice is served.

During the visit on Friday, March 6, 2026, NRC representatives were received by the leadership of the University of Ibadan Muslim Community (UIMC), led by Professor Mufutau Abdulrahmon and Professor Wole Abass. The corporation presented a formal apology letter dated March 5, 2026, signed by the Railway District Manager for Ibadan, Naomi Itajobi. In the letter, the NRC expressed its “deepest apology and sincere regret” for the “distressing and unwarranted incident,” acknowledging the “humiliation, pain, and inconvenience” caused to Dr. Abdulsalam and his family.

“We are profoundly saddened to learn of the altercation involving one of our staff members, Mr. Tomisin Asiye, a Locomotive Driver attached to the District, which resulted in your assault, physical injury, and public embarrassment,” the letter read in part. “We fully acknowledge the humiliation, pain, and inconvenience this incident caused you and your family while you were simply assisting your sister with her journey. There is no justification for the behaviour displayed, and we take full responsibility for the actions of our employee during the performance of duties at our facility.”

The NRC further described the staff’s conduct as “unacceptable and contrary to the standards and values expected of personnel of the corporation while interacting with passengers and visitors.” The management assured the lecturer and the university community of its commitment to enforcing necessary sanctions against the culprits to prevent future occurrences. “The corporation is committed to enforcing necessary sanctions to prevent a recurrence,” the letter stated.

Public reactions to the incident have been swift on social media, with users calling for better training and accountability among NRC staff. One X user urged the corporation to “call your staff to order especially those at the parking lots,” highlighting ongoing concerns about passenger treatment at railway stations. Reports from outlets like Sahara Reporters detailed the brutality, noting the widespread condemnation it received online.

This incident has reignited discussions on customer service and security protocols within Nigeria’s public transportation sector, particularly the railway system, which has seen increased patronage following recent infrastructure upgrades. The NRC has yet to announce specific disciplinary actions against the involved staff, but sources indicate internal investigations are ongoing.