Abuja — Many travelers at the Abuja train station are complaining about a growing problem with ticket sales. Passengers say buying a ticket has become difficult because of a hidden “racket” involving some staff and ticket touts.
Several people told reporters that tickets often sell out very quickly at the station. But not long after, other people — known as touts — offer to sell the same tickets at much higher prices.
Chinedu, a worker who travels from Abuja to Kaduna often, said this happens almost every day.
“You will come early, sometimes before the counter opens, but when you reach the desk they say tickets are sold out. Then someone nearby will quietly offer you the same ticket, but for more money,” he said.
Passengers believe some staff at the train station are secretly working with touts. They think tickets are being kept aside on purpose, so touts can resell them for a profit.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has said before that there is no proof of this problem, and that tickets are hard to get because there are too many passengers and not enough seats. But many commuters do not agree and want the government to fix the problem.
Some experts also worry this ticket racket could create security risks, since the same people might be able to break other rules too.
Groups are now calling on the Ministry of Transportation to make ticket sales digital and carry out strong checks on the train station’s staff.
For now, many people are left with no choice but to pay extra to get a seat — or miss their trip.
