Bolt Blocks Cross-Border Ride Orders Amid Escalating Nigeria-South Africa Feud | #NwokeukwuMascot

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Bolt Blocks South Africans, Nigerians Ordering Fake Rides, Restricts Intercountry Requests | #NwokeukwuMascot

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The ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has found itself at the center of a digital feud that has severely impacted its operations in both Nigeria and South Africa. The company was compelled to take decisive action after a wave of "fake" ride requests, primarily initiated by South Africans, disrupted services and led to significant financial losses for Nigerian drivers.

The situation escalated when South Africans began ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria from their home country with the sole intention of frustrating Nigerian drivers by making them wait at pickup locations unnecessarily. This online challenge quickly gained momentum, with numerous videos and screenshots circulating that captured South Africans engaging in this disruptive activity.

In response, Bolt swiftly suspended several accounts and imposed restrictions on inter-country ride requests. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of its platform, stating, "Bolt is aware of the recent fake ride requests between individuals in Nigeria and South Africa. We've swiftly implemented measures to resolve the issue, including restricting inter-country ride requests, and have blocked those responsible from the Bolt app."

Adding to the company's reaction, Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt Nigeria's Country Manager, clarified during an interview on Arise TV that the international order feature—introduced over a decade ago to facilitate seamless ride bookings across the 50 countries where Bolt operates—was not flawed but rather misused. "This feature has been beneficial to many customers globally. It’s something that has worked very well until recently when it was exploited for malicious purposes," Mohammed stated.

Mohammed also revealed that Bolt is currently conducting an in-depth analysis of the rides that were booked and the kilometers wasted by drivers due to the fake orders. He mentioned that the company is exploring the possibility of compensating affected drivers. “At the moment, this is something under active discussion, and I will be communicating with our drivers in the next few days regarding any potential compensation,” he added.

The incident has reignited long-standing tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, two nations with a history of rivalry, as seen in past events like the 2024 AFCON and the controversy surrounding Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina, who faced backlash over her Nigerian heritage.

The challenge, dubbed the "Request in Nigeria Challenge," was initially sparked by South Africans on X (formerly Twitter), who argued that Nigeria's weak currency meant its citizens couldn't afford to pay cancellation fees. This claim led to a series of ride cancellations, leaving Nigerian drivers stranded and financially strained. In retaliation, Nigerians launched a counter-challenge, ordering Bolt and Uber rides in South Africa, which led to similar disruptions and a surge in ride requests in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The online rivalry quickly escalated, with the hashtag #BoltforBolt trending and garnering over 30,000 tweets within hours, while the hashtag "South Africans" accumulated more than 84,000 mentions. As the challenge continued, Nigerians highlighted their country's large population and strong online presence, emphasizing their ability to mobilize effectively in such digital confrontations.

Reports from Cape Town and Johannesburg indicated that the Nigerian counteraction led to ride shortages and price surges, leaving many South Africans frustrated. A video shared by an X influencer even showed over 40 Bolt rides ordered by Nigerians to the same street in Johannesburg, leading to a chaotic scene with multiple drivers converging on the same location.

As of the time of this report, the hashtag #SouthAfricans had reached 126,000 tweets, with mixed reactions from both sides. While many Nigerians intensified their efforts to respond to the challenge, some South Africans conceded defeat, recognizing the negative impact on their drivers and the broader economy. Calls for restraint and separation of the groups emerged, with some users expressing regret over the situation.

The feud between Nigerian and South African Bolt users has once again brought to light the underlying tensions between the two nations. Bolt's decision to restrict inter-country requests and block the perpetrators may help alleviate the situation, but the incident serves as a reminder of the power of online mobilization and the potential for digital conflicts to escalate rapidly.