The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has denied allegations that it deliberately creates artificial scarcity of tickets on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) to enable agents to resell them at exorbitant prices.
The corporation described the allegations, contained in a viral social media video by Instagram blogger Faizah Raji, who operates under the handle @wearegst, as misleading, insisting that it does not directly handle ticket sales on the train corridor.

In a statement issued by the NRC management, the corporation said Raji had alleged that railway tickets were being withheld from the official e-ticketing platform and sold through unofficial agents at prices reportedly twice the approved rates.
The NRC, however, said the blogger acknowledged that the corporation had warned passengers against purchasing tickets outside its approved portal.

According to the management, passengers who patronise unofficial ticket agents against its warnings do so at their own risk, adding that the corporation should not be held responsible for losses arising from such transactions.
The NRC explained that ticketing services on its standard-gauge rail corridors are managed by private concessionaires under a public-private partnership arrangement.

It identified SecureID/TPS as the ticketing service provider for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Global Software Digital Solutions (GSDS) for the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, and Fane Warri-Itakpe Ticketing Solutions Limited for the Warri-Itakpe Train Service.
The corporation said the three concessionaires were approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Federal Executive Council before 2023.

On the persistent scarcity of tickets on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, the NRC attributed the situation to rising passenger demand, which it said had outstripped available capacity by more than tenfold.
The corporation said the imbalance between demand and supply had created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit passengers seeking tickets outside the official system.

It explained that the Federal Government introduced the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as a requirement for ticket purchases following the 2022 train attack, as part of measures to curb ticket racketeering and strengthen passenger security.
However, the NRC said some individuals had devised ways to obtain multiple NINs to purchase tickets and resell them to unsuspecting passengers.

To address the problem, the corporation introduced a double-verification process in 2025, requiring passengers to present personal identification documents before boarding, in addition to verifying the identity details used to purchase their tickets.
The NRC said its ticketing and verification system was integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database, enabling officials at Idu and Kubwa in Abuja, as well as Rigasa in Kaduna, to retrieve photographs associated with the NIN used for ticket purchases.

According to the management, the first verification stage helps identify passengers attempting to travel with tickets purchased using another person’s identity, while the second requires them to present personal identification at boarding.
It, however, acknowledged weaknesses in the access control system at Rigasa station, which it described as an adopted facility that does not meet the required standards.

The corporation said the shortcoming had occasionally allowed agents working with scammers to overwhelm security operatives, prompting the introduction of the additional identification checks.
The NRC maintained that purchasing tickets through third parties or using another person’s NIN or name was unacceptable, describing the practice as economic sabotage.

It added that the e-ticketing companies had been directed to improve access to their online platforms while ensuring compliance with established ticketing procedures.
The corporation also rejected suggestions that it was involved in buying and selling train tickets, stating that its responsibility was to facilitate passenger access to ticketing services and ensure that valid ticket holders could board trains.

It said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards ticket racketeering and warned that any staff member found participating in or colluding with the practice would face disciplinary action.
The NRC further assured passengers that it would continue to strengthen security, improve customer service and work towards making rail transport a safe, affordable, reliable and convenient alternative for travellers across the country.

The corporation also questioned the circumstances behind the blogger’s allegations, suggesting that her claims might have followed an unsuccessful attempt to board a train with a ticket or identification details that did not meet its requirements.
It nevertheless reiterated its commitment to addressing ticketing challenges and protecting passengers from fraudulent practices.