Kosisochukwu Okoye, a Lagos-based realtor, was left injured and bleeding after a troubling altercation with a Bolt driver identified as Wugah Kue Prince in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Okoye had travelled to Rivers State to sit for an examination and had booked a ride via the Bolt app from Police Post, Eneka Link Road, to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of Miracle, located on Ogbodo Road, Rumuapu, Rukpokwu-Obio.
According to her account, upon the driver’s arrival, he asked her to state the fare displayed on the app. She responded with the amount—N3,100—at which point he asked her to add more. Okoye declined, stating that she would only pay the amount shown on the app upon arrival at her destination.
During the trip, she requested that the driver, whose vehicle bore the license plate number BGD 809 EL, turn on the air conditioner. However, the driver allegedly told her it would cost an additional N5,000. She refused and told him not to bother switching it on.
Upon arrival at her destination, the driver ended the trip but then demanded more than the app-stated fare. Okoye stated that she sent him N3,500—above the fare—but he insisted on receiving N4,500. She refused, citing the principle rather than the amount, saying she was being coerced into paying more than agreed.
At this point, she claims, the situation escalated. The driver allegedly locked the vehicle doors, refusing to let her exit, and threatened to drive her elsewhere if she did not comply. As she attempted to step out of the vehicle—one leg already outside—the driver reportedly drove off, causing her physical injury.
In response to the incident, Prince offered his own version when contacted by The Guardian. He claimed that Okoye had boarded the ride from a hotel and that he had clearly stated a fare of N4,500 due to fluctuating fuel prices and other operational costs, which he said often result in fare variations on the Bolt platform.
He alleged that Okoye remained silent when he mentioned the fare, and further complained that she had delayed the trip by spending about 30 minutes at a pharmacy and another 10 minutes at a second stop.
Upon reaching Apple Road, the app displayed a fare of N3,100. Prince claimed he informed Okoye that the fare should have been higher, and though she initially contacted her boyfriend to settle the payment, she later insisted on paying it herself.
“She transferred N3,100,” he said. “Then she suddenly opened the door while I was still moving, fell, and lost her slippers in the process.”
In reaction to the incident, Bolt Nigeria’s spokesperson, Femi Adeyemo, told The Guardian that the driver has been suspended from the platform. “We have blocked the driver and asked him to apologise to the customer. We are sorry for what happened. We will continue to work to improve and sanitise the system,” he said.