The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has denied allegations of ticket racketeering on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, following a viral video alleging that ticket shortages are created to enable resale at higher prices.
In a statement, NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said blogger Faizah Raji admitted buying a ticket from an agent at twice the official price after failing to obtain one through the approved e-ticketing portal.
The NRC explained that private concessionaires manage ticketing on standard gauge rail corridors under Public-Private Partnership arrangements.
It said the corporation does not directly handle ticket sales.
Following the 2022 train attack, the Federal Government introduced the National Identification Number, NIN, as a requirement for ticket purchases.
In 2025, the NRC introduced a second verification process, requiring passengers to present personal identification before boarding to address ticket racketeering and identity fraud.
The corporation attributed ticket shortages to passenger demand, which it said exceeds available seating capacity by more than ten times.
It advised passengers to avoid unauthorised ticket agents and tickets linked to other people’s identification details.
The NRC warned that staff found colluding in ticket racketeering would face disciplinary action.
It also said the e-ticketing concessionaires had been directed to improve access to their platforms, reaffirming its commitment to providing safe, affordable and reliable rail services.
Source: NTA