EFCC Nabs 8 Suspected Train Ticket Racketeers

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested eight suspected train ticket racketeers in Abuja and Kaduna.

The agency said Clement Zakka, Udim Samson, Adams Danladi, Otitomoni Omobolanle and Hassan Dauda were nabbed at the Kubwa train terminal, Abuja, on Saturday; while three others, including a Nigeria Railway Corporation worker and two touts, were apprehended at the Rigasa train station in Kaduna on Sunday.

They were were said to have sold the train tickets for between N2,500 and N15,000.

The EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said in a statement on Monday, that the suspects sold the N1,300 economy ticket for between N2,000 and N5,000, while first class ticket was sold for between N7,000 to N15,000 up from the official N2,500.

It said, “The Commission swung into action after receiving an intelligence report alleging that some group of people at the Idu and Kubwa train stations have been racketeering train tickets making it difficult for passengers to have access to tickets and further sabotaging government efforts in ensuring easy transportation across the country.

“The suspects were arrested during a sting operation at the stations; They will soon be charged to court.”

The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that some members of staff of the stations connived with touts to defraud unsuspecting travellers by selling the tickets at a higher rate.

It explained that the Station Manager, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Parcel Booking Officer of the Kaduna Railway Station have also been invited for questioning.

Our correspondent had on Sunday reported the ticket racketeering at the Kubwa train station and complaints by passengers about the disorganized ticket system designed to exploit customers.