In response to a recent surge in fake ride requests between users in Nigeria and South Africa, ride-hailing company Bolt has blocked numerous accounts involved in the prank.
The trend, which has led to significant disruptions for drivers, prompted Bolt to restrict inter-country ride requests in a bid to curb the problem.
The trend first gained attention on social media, where users in both countries began requesting rides in the other country, only to cancel them after drivers had accepted the requests.
This prank, dubbed the “Request in Nigeria Challenge” by some South African users, quickly spread as both Nigerians and South Africans engaged in the disruptive behaviour.
Screenshots of the canceled rides were widely shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users from both nations expressing their frustrations and concerns.
A user, @Oladapomikky1, mentioned that over 40 Bolt and Uber cars were ordered to a single street in Johannesburg by Nigerians, only for the rides to be canceled.
These actions have sparked outrage online, with many viewing them as a form of digital harassment that exacerbates the longstanding rivalry between Nigerians and South Africans.
The prank has had a significant impact on Bolt drivers in both countries, many of whom rely on the platform for their livelihood. The trend has led to wasted fuel, time, and lost income for drivers, particularly those who accepted long-distance requests only to find out that the rides were a joke.
Bolt, which does not reimburse drivers for fuel spent on canceled rides, has faced criticism from drivers who feel they are being unfairly targeted by the prank.
In response, some drivers have started refusing long-distance ride requests until the issue is addressed by the company.
Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt’s Country Manager for Nigeria, expressed the company’s commitment to resolving the issue.
“Bolt is aware of the fake ride request incident between some individuals in Nigeria and South Africa,” Mohammed told Techcabal.
“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 prank is the latest manifestation of the longstanding rivalry between Nigerians and South Africans, which has played out in various forms online over the years.
The rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa has often been fuelled by competition in areas such as business, entertainment, and sports.
However, it has also been marked by more serious incidents, such as xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have targeted Nigerian nationals living in the country.
The fake ride prank comes on the heels of another incident that stirred tensions between the two nations.
Chidimma Adetshina, a South Africa-based model of Nigerian descent, recently withdrew from the Miss South Africa 2024 competition due to xenophobic backlash over her nationality.
This incident sparked heated exchanges between Nigerians and South Africans online.
