Lagos, Nigeria – Bolt, a ride-hailing platform, has blocked numerous accounts involved in a prank between Nigerian and South African users. The trend, started by South Africans and dubbed the “Request in Nigeria Challenge,” involved ordering and canceling rides from one another’s countries.
The incidents sparked outrage among users on X, who viewed the behavior as a form of digital harassment and a reflection of underlying prejudices.
“Bolt is aware of the fake ride request incident between some individuals in Nigeria and South Africa,” Yahaya Mohammed, Country Manager of Bolt in Nigeria, said. “We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners in Nigeria and South Africa. We are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and secure experience for all members of our community.”
The “cab wars” coincided with the arrival of Chidimma Adetshina, a model who dropped out of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition following a heated controversy over her identity. Adetshina arrived in Lagos ahead of the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria competition.
