Benin City, August 1, 2025 — A wave of protests swept through Benin City as drivers of ride-hailing services—Bolt, Uber, and In-Drive—took to the streets to demand fair treatment. Organized by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters, the demonstration spotlighted rising tensions between tech platforms and the drivers who power them.
Hundreds of drivers gathered at key city locations with placards bearing messages like “We are humans, not slaves” and “Commission rates are killing us.” Their grievances stem from high commission deductions, escalating fuel prices, data costs, and a surge in dangerous passenger behavior.
According to union chairman Russell Eghaghe, current commission charges of up to 25% leave drivers struggling to break even. He shared accounts from drivers who’ve had passengers register with aliases like “Killer” and “Devil,” raising alarm about the lack of background checks on users of these apps.
“Innocent drivers have been robbed, assaulted, and some have even died because of this negligence,” Eghaghe stated passionately during the march.
The protestors are urging the Edo State Ministry of Transportation to intervene. Their demands include:
– Commission rate reductions to under 10%
– Transparent passenger verification systems
– Dynamic pricing that reflects operational realities
– Safety and insurance coverage for drivers
The demonstration also went viral online, with hashtags like #JusticeForDrivers, #EdoTransportReform, and #SlaveryUnderApps trending across platforms. Several concerned citizens and public figures have started weighing in, with some pledging to boycott the apps until reforms are made.
