Bolt, the popular ride-hailing service, has announced new measures to curb the surge in fake ride requests amid an ongoing online clash between Nigerian and South African users. The company has blocked several accounts responsible for initiating fraudulent ride bookings and has restricted inter-country ride requests to address the escalating situation.
The dispute began early Thursday morning when South African users allegedly targeted Nigerian e-hailing drivers by booking rides and then canceling them upon the drivers’ arrival. In retaliation, Nigerians began booking rides in South Africa, leading to a heated online feud.
Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt’s Country Manager for Nigeria, addressed the situation in a statement: “Bolt is aware of the fake ride request incidents involving individuals in Nigeria and South Africa. We have taken swift action to resolve this issue by implementing enhanced security measures and restricting inter-country ride requests.”
Mohammed emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining platform integrity, stating, “The safety and integrity of our platform for both driver-partners and riders are our utmost priority. We have conducted a thorough investigation and have successfully blocked those responsible for these malicious activities.”
He further reassured users, saying, “We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners. We are committed to ensuring a safe and reliable experience for all members of our community and thank our driver-partners for their patience and professionalism during this time.”
The new restrictions aim to prevent further misuse of the platform and ensure a more secure experience for both drivers and riders across borders.
