The E-hailing Drivers Union has lamented the increasing number of attacks on its members, calling on the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure their safety.
Chronicle NG reports that a 42-year-old e-hailing driver, Yusfat Ayinde, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants on Friday, and his body was dumped at Agidingbi in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.
Ayinde was said to have received a ride request through the e-hailing app and arrived at the location, where he was ambushed by a group of hoodlums.
The criminals thereafter stabbed him in the process and fled with his vehicle.
According to Azeez Jaiyesinmi, the state chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, e-hailing drivers are increasingly targeted for robberies, assaults, and violent attacks while on duty.
Jaiyesinmi expressed concern that despite their important role in providing transportation services to the public, they are not adequately protected.
“I must express deep concern over the rising security challenges faced by e-hailing drivers in our state. It is troubling that these drivers are becoming frequent targets for attacks, and our responsibility is to advocate for their safety and well-being.
“The rise in incidents such as robberies, assaults, and even violent attacks on e-hailing drivers has been alarming. These brave men and women who serve the public, often working long hours to earn a living, are now in harm’s way due to the lack of adequate security measures to protect them,” the Union representative said.
Jaiyesinmi, on the other hand, noted that a popular method of attack on drivers was staged or fraudulent ride requests that lured drivers to remote regions where they were robbed, attacked, or even killed.
He went on to say that some specific tricks include ambushes in distant locales and making fraudulent payments or refusing to pay.
According to him, during robberies, drivers are frequently attacked with knives, weapons, or blunt items, and attackers may travel in groups, overpowering the driver unexpectedly.
Jaiyesinmi, on the other hand, urged authorities to take immediate action to protect e-hailing drivers, including increased police presence and faster reaction times.
He said, “We want the authorities to increase police patrols in high-risk areas and ensure a rapid response system for emergencies involving e-hailing drivers. They should also collaborate with Auaton and work with ride-hailing platforms to implement stricter passenger verification processes, including ID checks, facial recognition of riders, and real-time monitoring of suspicious activity.
“They should also set up a special task force that will work with the Auaton task force to create a dedicated unit to investigate and prevent crimes targeting e-hailing drivers. The government should create legal and policy changes and launch public awareness initiatives to educate drivers on personal safety and how to report threats effectively.”
Jaiyesinmi also requested the government to increase punishments for e-hailing driver crimes and provide drivers with affordable safety devices like emergency buttons or dashcams.
