Aggrieved drivers under the Lagos State ride-hailing scheme, LagRide, have raised concerns over what they describe as financial exploitation and intimidation by vested interests within the initiative.

In a statement obtained by TheNigerian Metro on Thursday and signed by the spokesperson for the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Operators of Nigeria, Steven Iwindoye, the drivers lamented that the scheme’s original intent which sought to empower individuals and promote self-employment, had been compromised.

The union further stated that hidden interests, allegedly unknown to the governor, had turned LagRide into a source of hardship for many captains, who have faced systemic failures that negatively impact their ability to work and earn a sustainable income.

They highlighted some of their complaints as including frequent app malfunctions and operational challenges, delayed payment, lack of financial transparency as well as unfair disciplinary action.

“It is deeply concerning that the original vision of this initiative has been undermined by certain vested interests. These interests, seemingly unknown to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have turned LagRide into a tool for harassment, intimidation, and financial exploitation, keeping many hardworking captains trapped in economic hardship.

“As representatives of AUATON, we stand united today to give voice to the frustrations and hardships experienced by LagRide captains, who have waited patiently for a resolution to these issues.”

However, the union called on LagRide’s management to take immediate steps to fix the pressing issues. They demanded that the app’s technical glitches be resolved to ensure seamless operations and also insisted on prompt and consistent earnings disbursement so captains could meet their financial responsibilities.

The union further called for financial transparency, urging LagRide to provide clear and accurate records that prevent misunderstandings, while also advocating for a fair and transparent grievance resolution process to stop arbitrary disciplinary measures that have negatively affected captains’ livelihoods.

“We demand fair and supportive treatment, Implementation of a fair and transparent grievance resolution process and cessation of arbitrary disciplinary measures.

“We must be treated with the dignity and respect we deserve as essential contributors to the platform’s success. Clarity on exit plan, for captains that have used more than two years to clear their balance and own the vehicle which is the original plan of the scheme as the drive to own,” the union.

While it warned of a possible protest and suspension of their activities if the demands were not met,  AUATON also demanded that any directives issued to law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and task force units, to harass, arrest, or impound their vehicles be revoked immediately.

“We call on the general public, regulatory bodies, and all relevant stakeholders to support our demand for better working conditions, fairness, and transparency from LagRide’s management. The LagRide captains form the backbone of the platform’s operations. Ensuring their welfare, fairness, and dignity is not just a matter of justice but also a strategic necessity for the long-term success of LagRide. We remain committed to advocating for our rights and will not rest until meaningful change is achieved,” the statement concluded.

When contacted on the telephone on Thursday, the Executive Director of LagRide, Niyi Saliu, said he was in a meeting and would revert.

He had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.

A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, on Thursday, reserved judgment in the case against a Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, accused of raping and murdering a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, in 2022.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike fixed May 2, 2025, for the judgment after the prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses.

Defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, while adopting the final written address, argued that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove Ominikoron’s guilt.

He insisted that none of the testimonies from the nine prosecution witnesses directly linked the defendant’s actions to Ayanwola’s death.

Omotubora also dismissed a voice note reportedly sent by the deceased to her friend as inadmissible hearsay, stating that the prosecution failed to call the friend as a witness.

Challenging the prosecution’s reliance on the “last-seen” doctrine, the defence counsel stated that mere suspicion is not enough for a conviction without strong circumstantial evidence.

He also argued that the testimony of a prosecution witness, who alleged she was a previous rape victim of the defendant, required corroboration.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, in his final address, urged the court to convict the defendant and pronounce him guilty based on the testimonies of prosecution witnesses three, seven, and eight.

Martins stated that the corroboration is not required in rape cases under Nigerian law.

He pointed out that the defendant was last seen with Ayanwola and fled to Ososa, Sagamu, Ogun State, instead of reporting to the police an action he described as suspicious.

Martins added that Ominikoron was later arrested by the Department of State Services in 2022.

Regarding the voice note from the deceased, Martins cited Section 34 of the Nigerian Evidence Act, which allows the court to evaluate and assign probative value to dying declarations.

Ominikoron is facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, rape, and murder preferred against him, by the Lagos State government.

He was arraigned in March 2022, before the court over the rape and murder of his passenger, on February 26, 2022, at the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

The prosecution told the court that Ominikoron conspired with others now at large to rape and murder his 22-year-old passenger.

The prosecution said the defendant had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole, without her consent, and murdered her, at about 7 p.m., between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge, on February 26, 2022.

According to the prosecution the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, Ominnikoron pleaded not guilty, to the charges against him.

There is looming fuel scarcity in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria as tanker drivers have stopped fuel loading over alleged harassment by officials of the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Also, telecommunications companies have raised concerns over a possible network blackout as the strike by petroleum tanker drivers could disrupt diesel supply, threatening the operations of mobile and internet services.

The TheNigerian learned that the truck drivers could not load fuel on Saturday and Sunday, creating fears of scarcity in Lagos and other states.

However, the Lagos State Government said it was only enforcing its e-call-up system, warning that attempts to blackmail the state government would not work.

The e-call-up system is a digital platform that manages the movement of trucks in the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos. The system was launched in September 2024 to help reduce traffic congestion

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, said members of his association were often beaten and harassed by government officials for no known reason.

According to him, trucks were being seized and damaged by the government officials, adding that he would not know if there would be fuel loading on Monday (today).

“The problem we have now is that the tax force in Lagos State has towed our trucks and they are beating our drivers, They damaged the vehicle of the union. So, because of that, there was no loading yesterday (Saturday and there is no loading today (Sunday). I don’t know whether there will be any form of loading tomorrow in Lagos environment. The union and the tax force are disturbing us,” Othman stated.

Asked if this would not lead to fuel scarcity, he replied, “Well, I wouldn’t know, but I know there was no loading yesterday, there is no loading today, and there may not be tomorrow. And all is because of this Lagos tax force.

“They are busy collecting our vehicles, giving fines and whatever. I don’t know how they will operate without fuel trucks. There is no refinery or depot in any place that can operate without a vehicle that will come and take products from them. So, they have to find a way of ensuring that we all co-exist peacefully,” he stated.

The NARTO president said this does not relate to the ban on 60,000 trucks.

“It’s entirely a different thing. It’s a tax force from the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transport,” he disclosed.

LASG replies

Reacting, the Lagos State Government emphasised that the government was making efforts to sanitise traffic along the road to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa, said the state government would not allow tanker drivers to turn the area to another Apapa which used to be characterised by massive gridlocks in the past.

“I am aware that some enforcement was done at the Dangote refinery axis. If it is the same issue, the enforcement is to ensure compliance with our e-call-up system.

“We won’t allow them to turn that place into another Apapa. Their attempt at blackmail will not suffice. We urge willful compliance for everybody’s sake,” Musa said in a chat.

Telcos fear blackout

Telecommunication companies expressed concern over a looming network blackout as the ongoing strike by petroleum tanker drivers could disrupt diesel supply, threatening the operations of mobile and internet services.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, which represents major operators, warned that the strike could cause widespread service disruptions if the diesel shortage persists.

“If diesel supply is disrupted, it will impact network operations because telcos rely on diesel to power their sites almost daily,” ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, told The TheNigerian on Sunday.

“While many sites have reserve tanks, some are already at critical supply levels. If there is no immediate intervention, services could be affected.”

Telecommunications providers such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile do not manage their base stations directly. Instead, they rely on infrastructure companies like IHS Towers, American Tower Company, and Pan African Towers, which maintain and power these sites using diesel generators.

Emoekpere stressed the urgent need for contingency measures to protect critical telecom infrastructure.

“This situation wasn’t planned for. Even in cases like this, there should be mechanisms in place to ensure telecom services are not compromised. Telecom infrastructure is critical national infrastructure and should not be left vulnerable,” he said.

He noted that infrastructure companies have already reported difficulties in securing diesel, prompting ATCON to raise the alarm. “We don’t wait for a total shutdown before taking action; this is a preventive measure,” he added.

In a separate statement, ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to facilitate the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere said.

The association also urged security agencies and petroleum unions to swiftly resolve the crisis to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.

If diesel supply is not restored soon, millions of subscribers could experience service disruptions, affecting both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations, he argued.

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday said its operatives had arrested four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for allegedly beating and inflicting bodily injury on a Bolt driver, Henry Osemwenkhia, which eventually led to his death on February 4.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking on the circumstances that led to the death of the Bolt driver in Benin City, the state capital.

He said that Osemwenkhia, on February 4, 2025, reported a case of assault on him by men of the NSCDC after dropping off his passenger.

Yamu said that after listening to Osemwenkhia’s account, he was told to go for a medical check-up but surprisingly the command received the news of his death the following day.

Yamu said, “The command is aware of the death of the Bolt driver allegedly caused by the NSCDC officers. One Henry Osemwenkhia, who is now deceased, reported on February 4 at the New Etete Police Station that he took some passengers to the De Kaso Hotel along Limit Road in Benin and in the process, he had an altercation with a young man.

“He said some of the young man’s friends and some civil defence officers beat him and that, according to him, at a point, they even punctured his tyres.

“So, on reporting that matter, they quickly gave him a medical form where he should go for treatment but unfortunately, on February 5, we received a call that he died in his house while awaiting the results of his scan.

“So, as I am speaking with you, his corpse has been deposited at the hospital.

“We have four of the civil defence officers in our custody and the Commissioner of Police has directed an immediate investigation into the matter to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the driver,” Yamu said.

On his part, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Efosa Ogbebor, said their men actually went there to separate a fight and were never involved in a fight with anybody.

He said his men were stationed at the said hotel to provide security for the facility.

Ogbebor also denied the allegation that his personnel were arrested by the police rather, they only went there to report themselves.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Bolt drivers in the state staged a peaceful protest, alleging the killing of their colleague by operatives of the NSCDC attached to one of the popular hotels in Benin City.

The protesters who converged on the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council, displayed placards that read thus: “Enough of the brutality by security agencies; Enough is enough; Bolt drivers are not slaves; Justice for Bolt drivers; and ‘We need justice for the death of Bolt driver, Henry.”

Speaking for the group, Festus Nwanbuzo, said they are demanding justice on behalf of their colleague who was allegedly killed by the officers of the NSCDC.

He said the deceased was an easygoing man who could never hurt anyone.

Bolt drivers under the aegis of E-hailing Drivers on Thursday protested the killing of one of their colleagues, Henry Osarodion Osemwhenkhai in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The bolt drivers who took their protest to the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Benin City, called on the Nigeria Police to investigate and bring officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) accused of killing Osemwhenkhai to justice.

The protesters who described the killing as ‘gruesome murder of their member’ carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Enough of the Brutality by Security Agencies,” “Enough is Enough, Bolt Drivers are not Slaves,” and “Justice for Henry”.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a bolt driver, Mr. Festus Nwabuzor, disclosed that late Henry went to drop a passenger at the Castle Hotel, situated along Limit Road, Off Sapele Road in Benin City, when one of the lodgers at the hotel, who almost hit his vehicle came out and started beating him.

He stated further that rather for officers of the NSCDC providing security at the hotel to resolve the issue, they joined the lodgers to beat the driver.

Nwabuzor called on the Nigerian Police and other relevant authorities to carry out proper investigation into the matter, with the aid of the CCTV camera at the hotel and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Another bolt driver, Mr. Rosor Ruben appealed to the state government to wade into the killing and ensure that justice was served in line with the present administration’s commitment to protect residents of Edo State.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, CSP Moses Yamu confirmed the killing, and told newsmen that four officers of the NSCDC have been arrested in connection with the killing and were in police custody.

CSP Yamu said the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Osetimeyin has ordered proper investigation into the matter, following which the suspects would be charged to court.

The spokesperson assured the people that the police would ensure that the matter is followed up to a logical conclusion to see that justice is not just served but seen to have been served in the matter.

E-hailing drivers in Lagos State have threatened to stage a protest over an alleged 50% fare cut by the ride-hailing company, Bolt.

The drivers, under the auspices of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, lamented that the reduction in earnings had severe negative impacts on all Auaton members, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

The union urged drivers to participate in the demonstration in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Steven Iwindoye, on Monday.

“The Auaton Lagos State Chapter strongly condemns the recent 50% price slash imposed by Bolt, a ride-hailing company, on its drivers. This drastic reduction in earnings has severe negative impacts on all Auaton members, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“The constant price slashes and unfair treatment of drivers by ride-hailing companies like Bolt, Uber, Indrive, and Rida have led to a breaking point. The only solution is for drivers to come together and take a stand.

“We call on all drivers, regardless of union affiliation, to participate in the upcoming protest. We cannot afford to have drivers undermining the effort by continuing to work and accept the unfair conditions. The protest’s success relies on the unity and solidarity of all drivers.”

While it decried the lack of unified interest during similar demonstrations, the union described the protest as an opportunity for the drivers to set aside their differences and work towards a common goal.

It also urged the drivers to stand together and use their collective power to bring about change once the protest day is announced.

“While we await the announcement of the protest date, drivers can take action by expressing their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Writing to Bolt and registering our displeasure with the 50% price slash is a crucial step. This will demonstrate our collective dissatisfaction and prepare the ground for the upcoming protest.

“When the protest date is announced, we must stand together and use our collective power to bring change. This may require drivers to take bold action and assert their rights. By doing so, we can create a better future for ourselves and the entire ride-hailing industry.

“We urge all Auaton members and drivers to unite and demand fair treatment from ride-hailing companies. Together, we can bring about the change we deserve,” the statement added.

An email sent to Bolt had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

As Nigeria’s cities swell with urbanisation and its population booms, e-hailing platforms have become a lifeline, offering jobs to people across all age brackets. But beneath the wheels of opportunity lies a curious and troubling reality—while some drivers grapple with soaring fuel costs, others face an unexpected and uncomfortable challenge: passengers turning their vehicles into mobile love nests, among other vile adult activities, writes VICTOR AYENI.

When Muyiwa Falona steered his car through the grand gates of a four-star hotel nestled in the heart of Mojidi Street, Ikeja, Lagos, the soft beep of the e-hailing drivers’ app signified his arrival.

A devoted father of two, his journey into the world of e-hailing cab services began in 2021—a decision borne out of desperation and necessity but sustained by love.

The frenetic business of ferrying strangers through Lagos’ labyrinth of streets has revealed to him a range of human experiences: the good, the bad, downright ugly and utterly bizarre.

Yet, despite the challenges and chaos, his unwavering determination and commitment to provide for his family have remained his driving force.

It was this deep sense of responsibility that kept him navigating the streets of Lagos day after day, braving and enduring the valences of human behaviour.

“There’s hardly anything I haven’t encountered on this job,” Falona told Saturday TheNigerian, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resilience. “I’ve seen it all—rude passengers, kind ones, flirtatious types, and even ‘Yahoo boys’ (Internet fraudsters). I’ve endured things that would easily push the average person to their limit.”

Pausing to recall a recent experience, he continued, “Just last week, I picked up two young ladies who booked a ride at Freeman Street on Lagos Island. These small girls dared to start vaping inside my car without even asking for permission. The arrogance was unbearable.”

Falona’s eyes flashed with the memory as he added, “I was so angry that I pulled over and told them to get out of my car. I’ve let people smoke in my car before, but only after they asked for permission—like the two guys I drove at night a while back. But this? This was outright disrespect.”

A health and safety expert, Emmanuel Bernard, however, warned that exposure to passive smoke in a confined space is harmful.

“Scientific studies have shown that the concentration of toxins in a smoke-filled car is 23 times greater than that of a smoky bar. So it’s dangerous to your health to allow anyone to smoke cigarettes or weed in your car,” he warned.

Recounting another shocking experience, Falona recalled an evening ride when his cab was booked by a young man and a teenage girl. “Normally, when two passengers sit at the back, I mind my business,” he began, shaking his head as if still puzzled by the audacity of the incident. “But that evening, I noticed through my rearview mirror that the girl had started performing a sex act on the guy. I couldn’t believe it.”

Disgust flickered across his face as he continued, “I had to pull myself together and tell them to wait until they got to their destination. I’m certain if I hadn’t stopped them, they would’ve gone all the way in my car. No, I won’t tolerate such behaviour. What is happening to young people nowadays?” the Ondo State-born driver asked his tone a mix of disappointment and disbelief.

Falona’s encounters—ranging from shock to anger and outright disgust—paint a vivid picture of the all-too-familiar realities e-hailing drivers experience daily.

 A growing sector

Capitalising on Nigeria’s underdeveloped public transport system, rapid urbanisation, and growing population, e-hailing platforms have been known to offer services that provide users with an alternative to traditional taxis.

These e-hailing cab services use mobile apps to connect passengers with individual drivers. They feature real-time tracking, fare estimation, and cashless payment options.

Checks by Saturday TheNigerian revealed exponential growth in e-hailing mobility services, increasing from two operators in 2014 to about 26 operators in 2022 across major cities in the country.

First launched in 2014, an American-owned e-hailing cab service, Uber, began its operations in Lagos, Abuja, and Benin City with aggressive social media marketing.

In 2015, hailing cab platforms such as Jekalo, Afrocab, and Gomyway emerged and started their operations in Lagos and Abuja.

Similarly, in 2016, Bolt (formerly Taxify) entered the Nigerian market and began operations in Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan, Benin City, and Owerri.

That same year, other e-hailing services such as Holy Cab, Palmdrive, Oga Taxi, and GIG Mobility were launched.

InDrive, another popular ride-hailing app, started operations in Lagos in 2019.

Enforcing rules

Amid the thriving business, which has provided many drivers with a flexible work schedule and enhanced passenger comfort, some cab operators admit to being compelled to enforce certain rules for passengers.

One such e-hailing cab driver is Mr Richard Oseni, a married father of three, who disclosed that he engages in the service part-time because he manages two other businesses.

“There is money in this job if you are not lazy,” he told Saturday TheNigerian. “But in doing this work, you will realise that many abnormal people are roaming the streets dressed nicely.”

“There was this lady I picked up one afternoon. Guess what she did? She ate amala and ewedu inside the car and placed the takeaway plastic with the remaining soup under the seat. The next lady I picked up mistakenly dipped her shoe into that ewedu soup. I was so angry and embarrassed,” Oseni recounted.

Also recounting his experience, an e-hailing driver who gave his name as Olayemi said he has had occasions where he parked the car to clean out food packs, biscuits, and candy wrappers left by passengers.

“I have my rules placed in the car,” Olayemi noted. “You can’t eat in my ride, and you must not touch any button in the car. If you break any of the rules, I’ll drop you on the highway.”

For some customers, however, hygiene is an endearing characteristic they look for in the ride they book, which they also seek to maintain.

“There are times I get to eat in e-hailing rides. But I take proper precautions while eating so that I don’t leave traces of dirt in the car—to some drivers’ commendations. Observing personal hygiene is inborn; unfortunately, not everybody has it,” an entrepreneur, Deji Oladokun, told our correspondent.

Recalling his trip in an e-hailing cab a few years ago in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a father of three, Promise Orji, said the car was neat and had chocolates, snacks, menthol lozenges, a water bottle, and a magazine.

“The driver told me, ‘Feel free to take anything.’ It was such a wonderful trip. Although the trip was cut short when I finally woke up to my son calling, ‘Daddy, I want to pee,’” Orji said.

Ratings and misconduct

To enforce acceptable behaviour and curb abuses, various e-hailing platforms have passenger and driver rating systems.

After each ride, drivers rate passengers on a scale of one to five stars. These ratings often reflect a passenger’s behaviour, including punctuality, communication, and overall conduct.

Similarly, passengers rate drivers based on their experiences during the trip, which may include car cleanliness, driving behaviour, navigation, and overall friendliness.

Saturday TheNigerian gathered that drivers with ratings above 4.6 stars are often eligible for incentives and bonuses, while those with ratings between 4.0 and 4.5 stars may face reduced incentives.

However, drivers who fall below 4.0 stars risk having their accounts deactivated on the e-hailing platforms.

“The ratings are there for a purpose,” an e-hailing cab driver, Kolawole Abiona, told our correspondent. “If a driver behaves badly, passengers will rate them poorly. I know a driver who was yanked off a platform because of numerous complaints about his car hygiene.

“That is why we want to ensure that customers observe hygiene and proper behaviour, too. Drivers can get yanked off once their one-star ratings reach a certain level.”

Some passengers who spoke to Saturday TheNigerian noted that rudeness, stressful engagements, unnecessary familiarity, or flirting could prompt them to give drivers poor ratings.

“I’ve only encountered one rude driver,” an accountant, Bosun, said. “The guy parked far from my pick-up location, and I had to walk to meet him with a heavy bag on my shoulders. This man still spoke harshly to me.

“I was in a hurry that day, so I couldn’t cancel the ride, but I gave him a one-star rating to let him know that what goes around comes around.”

However, an e-hailing driver, Kenneth Emechebe, argued that in ideal situations, drivers are not expected to leave their cars to assist passengers with their luggage.

“It’s a display of courtesy,” Emechebe explained. “If a driver helps you with your bag, it’s out of goodwill. I don’t carry heavy bags in my boot because I can’t keep fixing my shock absorber. I’ll politely tell you to use the courier option.

“It could also be part of security measures. There have been cases where drivers were attacked after stepping out to assist someone with their luggage. So, because of such experiences, some drivers are cautious about being caught unawares.”

“For me, if a male passenger sits alone at the back, I feel uncomfortable,” a middle-aged driver who declined to give his name told our correspondent. “I still understand if it’s a lady, but a young man? What’s that about? Why can’t he sit in the front seat? Is he a princess?”

However, a fashion designer, Maureen Nnaji, explained that many passengers opt for the back seat for safety reasons.

“They don’t know the driver and can’t feel comfortable sitting in the front,” she noted. “If you’ve ever been nearly kidnapped or harassed by the police, you’d prefer to take the back seat to stay more vigilant.”

But for Samuel Ogunloye, the rating system left him puzzled after he discovered a driver had given him a one-star rating despite their seemingly good rapport during the trip.

“I checked my app later that day and saw he gave me a one-star rating,” he recalled. “I had even given him a five-star rating. Honestly, I didn’t know they rated customers, too. I thought only passengers rated drivers. I was so pained.”

High fares, energy costs

Findings by Saturday TheNigerian revealed that the number of Nigerians who patronised e-hailing cabs slightly reduced due to the hike in petrol prices last year.

On August 3, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited announced pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, to N855 per litre, reaching about N1,000 per litre in some filling stations across the country.

Immediately after the announcement of the recent hike in petrol prices, some e-hailing services declared that starting from August 30, 2024, there would be an increase in their fares for their car categories in some cities.

Explaining the financial strain imposed by the increase in fuel price, an e-hailing driver, said, “It affects us when fuel prices go up because the hailing services have their percentage which they charge us for. What I do is to wait till it’s the peak period when I know I will make more gains.

“There are red, yellow and green lines that drivers can use to identify the peak period available. For instance, if many people coming from a programme at Onikan are looking for a ride at once, it can lead to a peak period. The charges for that period will spike, so I take advantage of that.”

Last week, e-hailing drivers, under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria, called on the Federal Government to establish a framework that will regulate the business and take care of the interests of drivers.

However, a United States-based energy expert, Abayomi Ladapo, in an interview with Saturday TheNigerian, noted that high fuel costs have slashed the earnings for many drivers, while riders contend with surging fares.

“This crisis is not insurmountable,” he said, “provided Nigeria undertakes comprehensive reforms to realign its energy strategy. The Federal government’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate refineries, including Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna alongside modular refinery investments, are steps in the right direction.

“A functioning domestic refining system would ease dependency on costly imports, stabilising prices and creating a more self-sufficient energy supply. At the same time, Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves offer a cleaner, more affordable alternative to oil.”

Ladapo further explained that an expansion of gas infrastructure for both domestic use and exports would reduce oil demand and position natural gas as a key component of the energy mix.

“Investments in renewable energy should also be scaled, leveraging Nigeria’s climate to mitigate long-term reliance on fossil fuels while curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“By tackling inefficiencies such as pipeline vandalism and logistics bottlenecks, Nigeria can stabilise fuel prices and reduce environmental degradation. An energy strategy rooted in sustainability and resilience is not only achievable but critical for future economic growth,” he added.

Sex in motion

While many e-hailing cab drivers struggle with high fuel costs, some of them are faced with a rather disturbing trend in the course of their jobs: the growing demand by passengers to perform sex acts in their cars.

Several drivers who shared their experiences with Saturday TheNigerian admitted that they were offered money by some passengers who wished to fulfil their fantasies of having sex while on motion.

“There was a day while I was driving, two students (a guy and a lady) from a state university in Lagos were performing sexual acts in the back seat. I wasn’t interested initially, but the moaning from both partners was disturbing me.

“As I turned to look, I saw that they didn’t even care that I was there and watching them. At the end of the trip, the guy thanked me and paid me higher than the required fares. To be honest, it’s not my concern,” Dominic Etim, a driver disclosed.

Narrating his experience as a passenger, a tech enthusiast, who gave his name simply as Chima told our correspondent that he once attempted to have sex in a car while returning from a party with his female friend.

“It happened in 2020 when I booked a ride with two of my friends with whom I attended the party. We were all drunk, and in the car things became hot and I started making out with my babe.

“The driver saw us through the mirror parked the car and sent us all out even without minding the money we want to pay. I was only kissing her, I had not even done the deed,” he recalled.

“I had a similar experience one time like that,” another driver Tonye, said, “I was driving this couple who began doing nasty things in the car. I just wound down the glass and switched off the air conditioner.

“You paid me to drive you to your destination and not to have sex in my car. It’s my car and I have the right to define what I consider decent within it. My car is not a mobile hotel.”

Corroborating Tonye’s stance, another driver, Lamidi Adefisayo said, “That’s also my rule. You can’t enter my car and make out. Some of our colleagues encourage this rubbish that is why they keep getting such solicitations. A guy once told me he would add N2,000 to my fare to have sex with his girl during the ride but I turned it down.”

Sharing his experience on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, a user named Celebrity Uber Driver (@ThatUberGuyy) wrote that he did not often care what his passengers do in the back seat.

But his stance appeared to change during his final ride one night when he picked up a couple.

He wrote, “I didn’t turn on the air conditioner because it was cold. Baba started kissing his babe, but the breeze from outside was too much. I brought the windows up because I was coded. The man said ‘Thank you, my guy.’ Well, the way you relate with me before and after you get into my car is how I’ll treat you.

“Most of the time I don’t even talk to passengers until I’m about to end the trip. I just put on my air pods with loud music, I don’t get distracted when I use my air pods.”

Replying to his tweet, another e-hailing driver, Pita Ojonuba also shared an unusual experience he had in Abuja.

“I once picked two guys from one popular hotel in Area 11. These brothers were kissing in the back seat. I parked and asked them out of my car because I was going to kill somebody.

“They begged because it was in the night, so I asked one of them to come to the front. I hate rubbish. I won’t have them behind me, in my car. I am not gay. I don’t like them. I won’t have them in my car making out,” he wrote.

E-hailing sexual acts policy

A policy guide seen by our correspondent on the Uber website prohibits “sexual assault and sexual misconduct of any kind.”

“Sexual assault and misconduct refer to sexual contact or behaviour without explicit consent of the other person. Personal space and privacy should be respected. The following list provides examples of inappropriate conduct but is not exhaustive.

“Behaviours and comments that could make people feel uncomfortable are not acceptable. Examples include nudges, whistles, and winks. Don’t touch or flirt with people you don’t know. Uber has a no-sex rule. Sexual contact is prohibited while using the Uber app, including during a trip or on a delivery.”

A similar policy was posted on the Bolt website as of Thursday morning.

“We believe in women’s rights to their bodies. Nobody should be tricked or coerced into sexual activity.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual violence within our community of passengers and drivers. Any cases reported to us with keywords that point to a sex offence are immediately moved to the top of our priority list and are handled by our High Priority Team.”

The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of an Uber driver and the assault of a commercial sex worker in Warri.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Friday.

According to police reports, the suspects hired the services of the Uber driver and invited a commercial sex worker, taking both to a nightclub. After leaving the nightclub, the suspects allegedly strangled and killed the driver.

The statement read: “Viewer discretion is advised!

“We have arrested these two suspects who hired an Uber driver and also invited a commercial sex worker in Warri around December last year.

“They first took them to a nightclub and then, on their way to the supposed destination, they strangled and killed the driver and threw the girl out of the vehicle.”

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2023 promised to support women-owned and women-led businesses to ensure favourable competition and economic equality, yet, many female minibus drivers popularly called ‘Korope’ in the state are daily burdened with multiple levies from agberos and traffic officers in their struggle to survive amid harsh economy, JANET OGUNDEPO writes

In 2020, a single mum of two, Mrs Vivan Efe, lost her means of livelihood. The lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to her crumbled business.

After the lockdown was eased, Vera began to seek alternative means to sustain herself and her two children.

While on her quest for economic empowerment, she saw some women driving the commercial minibus, popularly known as Korope, and it piqued her interest.

“I asked around and I was told the procedure. Since I already knew how to drive I was confident of being able to do the job. I know a friend who is close to the chairman of the park and she took me to him and he told me the dues to be paid and how it is done,” Efe said.

Thankfully, the process of joining the male-dominated commercial transport business was seamless for Efe, so she joined her male colleagues.

But the curse words, swearing and violence displayed by most of the levy collectors for the National Union of Road Transport Workers bothered her.

After plying the Berger-Ogba-Agege route for some time and mastering how things were done, she continued with her job unfazed.

“But the money we are paying is too much. Before I came into the business, three years ago, I was told women were exempted from paying the multiple levies but when I started, I was always asked for money by the ‘agberos. You need to see how they will aggressively drag our clothes just because they want to collect their money.

“The molestation and verbal abuse is too much but what can one do? I have learnt to avoid them by giving them their money as soon as I see them coming”,  Efe said with a frown.

Every day, Efe said she pays N2,100 as a booking fee for the route she plies but for every round she goes, the money for one of her passengers is collected by the ‘agberos’ also called ‘garage boys’.

This means that if she loads her seven-passenger bus for a trip from Berger to Ogba, she only goes on the route with the fee for six people.

 The same applies to when she picks up passengers at the other end of her stop.

Aside from these daily levies, the mother of two paid the Lagos State harmonised ticket of N800 every week.

To meet up with her daily target, Efe said that she sometimes works until 9 pm, despite starting early.

“The government should help female commercial drivers because we are not finding it easy with the ‘agberos’. Sometimes, if we are arrested, we are left at wit’s end on how to collect our buses.

“We will appreciate it if we are granted subsidies and waivers on some of these levies. We also plead for soft loans to purchase and repair our buses,” the female ‘korope’ driver pleaded.

Promise of economic equity

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2023, promised to support women-owned and women-led businesses in the state to ensure they move to “the next level where they can also compete favourably and secure public contracts which would ultimately foster economic equality.”

However, this promise has not in any way reflected on the activities of women commercial drivers in the state.

In September 2024, the state government advocated a transport system that prioritised the needs and safety of women.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, during an interactive meeting with women-focused non-governmental organisations, stated that the discussion was aimed at sensitising communities to the available transportation options, the associated women’s rights, and the avenues for voicing concerns.

Dada explained that many women relied on public transportation to commute to work, take their children to school and access essential services, stating that safety and affordability in transportation remained significant challenges.

 The Commissioner said, “It is essential to encourage women to engage directly with the government and seek accountability in our transport systems.

“Collaboration with your NGOs plays a pivotal role in creating awareness about safe transport for women and addressing issues like harassment.

“Let’s consider initiatives such as designated women-only transport services and community campaigns to promote awareness of safe commuting practices.

“Together, we can advocate a transport system that prioritises the needs and safety of all, especially the most vulnerable among us.”

Lagos is also known for its strict laws against domestic violence and abuse of women and children as enshrined in the 2007 Protection Against Domestic Violence Law.

Although several successes of justice served to perpetrators of violence against children and women in the state have been recorded, TheNigerian Healthwise reports that some women and children in the informal sector, who often are uneducated about the means to report grievances against them are still left to suffer abuse and harassment.

Some of these persons are vulnerable and unable to flee the arms of their abusers.

However, a Women’s Rights advocate who spoke to TheNigerian Healthwise, urged the state government to put in place anti-domestic violence monitoring teams and mobile courts, especially in public places where these abuses thrive to ensure that women and children, regardless of their status are protected.

Loved by passengers, harassed by agberos

A tailor-turned-commercial minibus driver, Mrs Ganiyat Busari, has been plying the Berger-Ogba route for about three years.

Her journey into the commercial transport business started by driving a tricycle, commonly referred to as ‘Keke Marwa.’

After the latter was banned along Ogunnusi road, she switched to driving the minibus.

Despite the stress of driving on Lagos’ busy road for about six to eight hours daily, Busari still made time for her home.

Thankfully, she said, her male co-drivers and passengers do not harass her verbally or sexually.

“In fact, some passengers appreciate us and commend us well,” the female minibus driver said.

But the story is not the same for the levy collectors, called ‘agberos’, who vigilantly watch every commercial vehicle and stretch out their hands to collect their dues.

The ‘agberos’ are known to forcefully collect monies from the drivers or motor boys, popularly called conductors.

A little lapse in offering the required money could result in the swift removal and damage of several parts of the bus.

Similarly, the reluctance to pay the fee would also cause heated arguments and exchanges of curses and blows.

The women drivers, TheNigerian Healthwise learnt, could be dragged and abused for their delay in giving the agberos their money.

Busari said, “Those who disturb us are the ‘agberos’ if you don’t quickly hand them their money. They embarrass us and don’t even consider whether we are females or not. However, if we give them their money, there is no other person that embarrasses us at work.”

Multiple levies

Despite the Lagos State Government’s introduction of the harmonised transport levy of N800 for commercial bus drivers with the intent to curb extortion and payment of unauthorised charges, in January 2022, commercial drivers in the state still pay multiple levies.

Previous investigations and reports done before the harmonised levy revealed that the monies collected by the louts went to the Local Government and the ‘agberos’.

An estimate by ICIR in 2021 revealed that about N82.13bn every year goes to the agberos.

Explaining the situation at Berger Park, Busari said, “We pay every day. We collect tickets at both ends of our journey. After that, they collect the money for a seat on the bus, which is called the load-and-pay.”

All of these, she said, make the earnings no longer worthwhile.

“If the government can help us intervene in the load-and-pay fee and can give us other subsidies, we will be glad,” Busari pleaded.

Harassed by LASTMA

Another female minibus driver, identified as Iya Tobi, complained bitterly of the harassment of officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and other law enforcement officials in the state.

“The embarrassment is too much. For LASTMA officials, if they ask for money and you don’t give it, they will begin to harass and threaten you with arrest.

“I have been asked for my phone number before because I am a woman and when I didn’t give it I was threatened with arrest,” the minibus driver said.

She pleaded for a stop to the harassment by the ‘abgeros’, task force and LASTMA officials.

Iya Tobi described the harassment of the aneros at Berger as “worst. They would abuse us over the levy they want to collect. If you don’t give them the money on time, they will destroy things on the bus.

“I have been financially harassed by LASTMA officials many times. For instance, they could ask a vendor hawking drinks to stop by and after taking whatever drink they wanted, ask the vendor to collect the money from you. If you complain that you don’t have any money on you and that this was your first trip, one has got into trouble. From then on, they would begin to accuse one of being proud and rain several abuses.”

LASTMA, every transporter’s fear

However, TheNigerian Healthwise, learnt that the harassment of female drivers by louts was peculiar to certain areas in the state.

For example, it was observed that transporters plying the Berger to Ikeja route and those plying the Secretariat to Computer Village, Local Government Area in Ikeja, were not harassed by the louts.

A female minibus driver, identified as Omolola, confirmed the situation to our correspondent.

She said, “Once I get to the final stop where I am to pick passengers, I would tell the ‘agbero’ there the route I am going and to call in passengers going that route. Once the bus is filled up, I give them their money and I move. I do the same at the other stop,” she explained.

Like her colleagues plying the Berger-Ogba-Agege routes, Omolola said, her major fear was the task force officials and LASTMA.

Being in the business for over three years, Omolola’s vast knowledge of traffic offences and her rights has helped her evade unnecessary arrests and fines.

Also, she noted, “If you know one of their bosses, whenever one is caught, one can just call them and explain the situation. Depending on the rank of the boss, the officials there might leave the vehicle and let one go. As such, they will even be telling their colleagues to avoid such a person.”

Need for better levy collection method – FIDA

In an exclusive interview with TheNigerian Healthwise, the Country Vice President/National President of The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Eliana Martins, saluted the courage of the women drivers for taking on the job to support and provide for their families.

On the harassment of the women by the louts stationed to collect the levies, Martins emphasised the need for a better collection method for the levies to eliminate the harassment of the women by the louts.

She said, “I would be mindful that the idea or the mindset is that the monies collected will be used to maintain, will be used to do good for the benefit of either the road people or the parks or at least to offer some form of support, not just collecting money for collecting sake.

“So first of all, they need to review this level. What is the aim? What is the purpose? How can it be properly collected? What seamless processes can they put in place for a collection that does not require the use of agberos harassing people? If I can go to a bank around the corner and make a payment or do an online transfer, I will get a sticker based on the categories of my vehicle types and things like that.

“I think these women can walk into the bank and pay and then to get their stickers and to stick on their vehicle, it’s easy to see that they have made payment rather than them being harassed. So for me, I think in the process, in the system that we set up, we can address things better so that women do not always have to be pushed to a corner to do the needful. They understand what the requirements are and they can comply.”

She further emphasised the need for a clear description of specific needs for the collected dues to be applied for, noting that the needs of women should also be considered in the dues.

“I wonder to myself, an organisation like the NURTW, do they have a specific policy on gender? What is that policy? Do they need to review that policy so that it better includes their women members who are coming on board now? So that they create an even platform for them to be part of that group because it’s not enough to just prepare and make the environment conducive for the male folk,” the FIDA Country Vice President said.

Better action against violence

While Martins praised the Lagos State Government for being proactive on gender matters, she called the domestic violence agency to target and monitor harassment among women in the transport sector in the state.

 “I know that the Lagos State government is proactive and hot on gender matters, they have the relevant law, the protection against domestic violence law on issues of abuse and violence and things like that. I know that they have Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation which is also in different local governments and are very active. I know that Lagos State has an active domestic violence agency.

“So, basically, we need to call them up for better action, targeting this particular sector of women, whom I would call entrepreneurs, going into the transport business. How can they also support these women against harassment and violence?

“Besides the issue of multiple taxations and all of that, I think that we can also wake up these agencies and ask them to shine their torch in those areas so that they are better able to help,” the legal luminary said.

She also urged the government to implement health schemes in case of accidents for the women drivers and insurance to cover their treatment.

Martins added that private corporations and start-ups could offer support to vulnerable women going into the transport business such as granting soft loans to encourage them to survive and preserve.

“The local government in the areas where they operate can also assist so that care centres are put in place in a nearby local government or office where their children can stay after picking them up from school.

“We need to look at the big picture. These are small business women aspiring and can grow in that business to own a fleet of buses and every encouragement is necessary. We all can do a lot to support them. Lagos State particularly can create a safe working environment for them so that they can thrive in this business that they are doing,” FIDA National President said.

To further monitor and address complaints of harassment, the legal luminary stressed, “Lagos States can also make sure that the way they send out crack teams to collect levies, they can also send out teams to protect, to ensure compliance and to monitor what is going on. They can even set up mobile courts where erring people are tried on the spot such that if I’m being harassed, I shouldn’t wait for long and the process should not be cumbersome.”

She further emphasised the need for a good reporting process where the women can report cases without being victimised while the culprits were taken to the mobile courts and are charged.

Martins noted that this approach would send a clear signal that one should be oppressed.

She urged the government, agencies against domestic violence and nongovernmental organisations to speak out against violence as it concerns people working in different sectors.

Female ‘korope’ drivers need inclusive environment – Advocate

A Women’s Rights Advocate, Josephine Christopher, emphasised the need for a fairer and more inclusive environment, urging the government to urgently standardise and regulate daily levies, such as tickets and “load and pay” charges, ensuring they were fair and affordable.

She further advocated the introduction of programmes that would give women access to vehicles through low-interest government-backed loans or subsidised hire-purchase schemes to reduce the pressure of tireless working to repay their vehicle loans.

Speaking on the safety and harassment remain critical concerns, Christopher said, “Many female drivers endure harassment and discrimination at bus parks and stops, making their work environment hostile and unsafe. The government must establish women-friendly transport hubs with dedicated spaces for female drivers and enforce zero-tolerance policies against harassment. Women deserve to work in an environment where they feel respected and protected.

“Additionally, providing free training programs on vehicle maintenance, financial management, and customer relations would help female drivers strengthen their business and navigate the male-dominated industry. Workshops to educate male counterparts and union leaders on the importance of gender inclusion are also essential to foster mutual respect and understanding.”

The women’s rights advocate urged levy waivers or reduced fees for women in the transport sector, especially those burdened by hire-purchase agreements.

She also called for a targeted subsidy scheme to help reduce their daily expenses and provide much-needed relief to these hardworking women.

Digitise ticketing system

Christopher also noted, “The current system of revenue collection is riddled with inefficiencies and corruption, often compounding the challenges women face. Digitising ticketing and levy systems would not only ensure transparency but also eliminate the exploitation and multiple unofficial charges that drain female drivers’ earnings.”

She called on the government to enforce stricter laws to protect women from harassment and discrimination in bus parks, garages, and transport hubs, stating that a zero-tolerance approach to harassment would send a clear message that women were valued and supported in the industry.

“Women need a stronger voice in transport unions, which men often dominate. Encouraging the formation of women-specific unions or subgroups would give female drivers a platform to advocate for better working conditions and policies that address their unique needs.

“Finally, recognising and celebrating the achievements of female bus drivers through awards or other public initiatives would boost their morale and challenge the stereotypes that often discourage women from pursuing such professions,” Christopher said.

Report officials who harass you – Omotoso

In his response the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said that discrimination against women drivers was not permissible in the Lagos State law.

He stated that women had the right to report cases of harassment to the appropriate quarters and they would get help.

“In Lagos, we take exception to violence against women and children. It is not acceptable at all. The Governor is well recognised and known for his love for gender equity.

“So, if these women are being discriminated against by anybody, whatsoever, if they bring forward such a matter, I can assure you that they will get help,” Omotoso said.

The commissioner, however, noted that the law did not pamper women who committed an offense.

Continuing, he noted that in some parks, women commercial drivers were allowed to load their buses first, emphasising the camaraderie between the men and women drivers.

Omotoso urged the women who were harassed by LASTMA officials or had a complaint against any taskforce official to call dedicated lines or visit their offices to report such behaviours.

Speaking on channels for which the women could lodge complaints, the commissioner said, “For example, it is a complaint against LASTMA, they have lines that you can call, they have offices that they can visit to report what they have done. If it’s a complaint against the police, the police public relations department is very robust, big, and it’s manned by people who are good and would listen to you if you complain against them.

“If it’s a union member harassing a woman, the woman has the right to complain to the union. The NURTW are well-organised people and are also disciplined, from what we have seen. So it’s not a lawless environment that people want us to believe, I do not think so.”