NRC suspends staff caught collecting cash from commuters without train ticket

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has taken decisive action, suspending erring staff in response to a viral video that depicted officers involved in negotiations with passengers on the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) to board the train without official tickets.

To prevent a recurrence of such misconduct by its personnel, the corporation has announced the upcoming implementation of an electronic ticketing system for both the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) and the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) by the end of this month.

In an official statement released recently by Deputy Director Yakub Mahmood, the NRC expressed deep regret over the incident.

The suspension of the implicated employees according to Mr Mahmood is a direct consequence of their flagrant disregard for established protocols and a betrayal of the trust placed in them, particularly at a time when the Federal Government is vigorously working to revitalize and modernize the railway infrastructure and rolling stock.

The video, which gained widespread attention on social media between Monday and Tuesday, captured NRC ticketing officers collecting fares from passengers without adhering to the proper procedures, resulting in financial losses for the corporation. Mahmood condemned the viral video, deeming it unacceptable and in stark contradiction to the principles and standards upheld by the corporation.

The suspension of the implicated personnel will remain in effect until the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation that is already underway, led by a management committee appointed to examine the matter. The NRC assures its passengers and the general public that such unacceptable behavior and damage to its reputation will not be tolerated and will be treated with utmost seriousness.

Mahmood emphasized that disciplinary proceedings, as well as relevant sections of the NRC General Rules and Public Service Rules (PSR), will be applied to all individuals found guilty or connected to the alleged misconduct.

This proactive response by the NRC underscores its commitment to maintaining integrity, accountability, and efficiency within its operations while safeguarding the interests of passengers and the public at large.