An Uber driver, identified only as Emmanuel, was reportedly attacked by a passenger during a disagreement in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja on Thursday.
The incident began when the passenger insisted that his luggage be placed in the back seat, contrary to the driver’s request to keep it in the boot. This dispute escalated into a physical confrontation.
Comrade Jossy Olawale, an ex-officio member of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), recounted the incident to NATIONAL TELESCOPE, revealing that the driver suffered serious injuries and was subsequently taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja for treatment.
The matter has been reported to the Galadinma police station in Gwarinpa, and Olawale has called for a thorough investigation into the attack. He stated, “The police should investigate and prosecute the attacker. There should also be compensation for the driver’s hospital bills, lost rental payments, and time lost due to this incident.”
This is not an isolated case; similar incidents have occurred in the past, including previous altercations in Lekki and Ogba, Lagos, highlighting a troubling trend in the app-based transport industry.
Efforts to reach the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of this report.
