Sunday, February 22, 2026 l Dalena News Desk
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The National Transport Federation of Nigeria (NTFN) has publicly accused global e-hailing company Bolt of evading responsibility and shifting blame in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a Nigerian driver in South Africa, describing the firm’s response to the tragedy as unacceptable and lacking in accountability.
The controversy stems from the death of a Nigerian Bolt driver, who was reportedly shot and killed while on duty in South Africa an incident that has already drawn law enforcement scrutiny and legal proceedings in the jurisdiction where it occurred.
In a statement released this weekend, leaders of the NTFN said that Bolt has failed to appropriately address the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death and accused the company of downplaying corporate responsibility in its public comments about the case. The federation claimed that Bolt’s handling of the matter reflected a broader pattern of prioritising its corporate image over the welfare of its drivers, especially those who are expatriate workers or serve in international markets.
According to the federation, Bolt’s response has included what the group characterised as efforts to shift blame onto local factors or external conditions, rather than directly acknowledging any role the company might have played in ensuring the safety of its drivers. NTFN officials urged Bolt to engage transparently with the driver’s family, cooperate fully with South African authorities investigating the incident, and offer meaningful support and compensation as the legal process unfolds.
The dispute highlights ongoing concerns about gig economy worker protection and corporate accountability, particularly when workers are operating far from their home countries. Nigerian transport advocates and civil society groups have echoed the federation’s calls for stronger safeguards for app-based drivers, citing a lack of standardised safety protocols and limited mechanisms for redress when serious incidents occur.
Earlier reports indicate that suspects have been remanded in connection with the driver’s killing in South Africa, with counsel and prosecutors set to advance the case through that country’s legal system.
Bolt’s corporate communications team has not yet made a detailed public statement addressing the specific allegations made by the NTFN, but the company has previously issued general statements expressing condolences in similar cases and emphasising its cooperation with local law enforcement where fatalities or crimes occur involving its drivers. Observers say a more comprehensive response is now expected in light of the federation’s rebuke.
The debate has resonated across social media platforms, where both supporters of the federation and users of ride-hailing services have weighed in on issues of driver safety, corporate responsibility, and the obligations of multinational firms operating within Africa’s evolving transport industries.
As the legal and public relations dimensions of the case continue to unfold, advocacy groups in Nigeria are calling on regulators both at home and abroad to examine standards for ride-hailing operations including driver welfare, insurance coverages, and protocol for violent incidents in order to prevent similar tragedies and ensure justice for affected families.