The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued a strong warning to the general public over the activities of fraudulent online platforms posing as official train ticket vendors.
The corporation has urged passengers to avoid making payments to unauthorised websites and personal bank accounts, stressing that such transactions are carried out at the victim’s own risk.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Lagos, the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, disclosed that the corporation has observed an increasing number of scams perpetrated by individuals and groups who solicit payments for train bookings through fake platforms.
“The attention of the management of NRC has been drawn to the activities of fraudulent and unauthorised platforms soliciting train ticket payments from unsuspecting members of the public via individual bank accounts,” the statement read.
Mr Unyimadu clarified that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has no affiliation with these platforms, and reiterated that any payment made through such unofficial channels would not be recognised or refunded by the NRC.
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“Passengers are strongly advised to desist from engaging with these fraudulent sites and must not, under any circumstances, pay into personal or unverified accounts for train bookings,” he cautioned.
To guide passengers and reduce the chances of falling victim to these scams, the NRC has listed the only authorised online booking platforms for its train services:
Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS): https://nrc-fane.ng
Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS): https://nrc.tps.ng
Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS): https://nrc.gsds.ng
For further confirmation and inquiries, passengers are advised to visit the NRC’s official website at www.nrc.gov.ng or contact the NRC’s customer service centres.
Mr Unyimadu also revealed that the management is collaborating with security agencies to trace, investigate, and prosecute the individuals or groups behind the fraudulent platforms.
“The management is working closely with relevant security agencies to investigate and bring those behind these scams to justice. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all our esteemed passengers,” he concluded.
The NRC’s warning comes as part of a broader effort to maintain integrity in its operations and protect passengers from digital fraud within the transportation sector.